SUMMIT — Dozens of law enforcement officials from two counties were searching the summit area high in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Soquel Village Tuesday morning after a burglary suspect fled from a sheriff’s deputy.
According to Santa Clara County Deputy Michael Low, a deputy from that agency saw Ricky Mendoza, 48, who he knew had active arrest warrants, and who had parked a stolen Ford pickup near the Summit Store on Summit Road.
Mendoza fled when the deputy tried to contact him and ran into the woods toward Santa Cruz County, Low said.
Despite a search that involved sheriff’s deputies from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, a K9 officer and a drone, Mendoza was not found.
According to Low, Mendoza is suspected in a burglary in which several firearms were stolen.
“We consider this person armed and dangerous,” he said.
Mendoza is described as a Hispanic male adult. He was wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans and has a long ponytail.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at (408) 808-4500. Alternatively, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
