Crime, Fire & Courts

Santa Cruz County on Monday named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, selecting a veteran corrections administrator with more than 20 years of experience in community-based justice programs. Mendez will take over leadership of the county’s Probation Department on Feb. 2, county officials...

A Capitola man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two people with a metal pipe on Sept. 18. Antwain Tiliman, 55, was charged with attempted murder, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, elder abuse, brandishing a deadly weapon, battery, and possession of methamphetamine. He...

This story has been corrected from an earlier version. The chase did not go through Pajaro Middle School. A search for a wanted man with multiple outstanding warrants ended with his arrest after a chase that started in Pajaro and made its way into the...

A Scotts Valley man died Sunday morning after his minivan plunged into the ocean from the Santa Cruz Wharf. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as William Westerman, 65.  Santa Cruz Police said Westerman was driving a white Toyota Sienna minivan with his...

A man suspected of driving while intoxicated was arrested early Friday morning after he reportedly lost control of his pickup and slammed into the front of the Ace Hardware store in downtown Watsonville.  Caught on security video, the white Chevrolet truck is shown coming around...

Two 17-year-olds have been arrested in connection with an attempted murder following an operation Tuesday. Detectives, with the help of local law enforcement partners, served several search warrants in connection with a late-night shooting on Jan. 19 on the 1500 block of Freedom Boulevard, where...

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is looking for Danielle Staley, 35, who was last seen on Nov. 6, around 11:23pm near Rio Del Mar State Beach. New information indicates she may be at risk, and foul play may be involved, SCSO said. She is described...

A man died Wednesday when he was run over by a San Jose Police officer following a crime spree that extended through two counties. According to SJPD, the incident began just after 2pm where an armed suspect entered a car dealership, stole a green Corvette...

An Aptos man was arrested on March 21 for several sex crimes involving minors. Kevin Hurley, 67, was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child and dissuading a victim or witness, among other charges. He faces a life sentence if convicted. Hurley was not in...