Update at 7:18pm: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy who was shot while trying to arrest a man suspected in Saturday afternoon’s double-carjacking in Felton has died, a law enforcement source confirmed. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly on the matter.
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Update at 4:52pm: One Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy was shot Saturday and another was injured as they tried to arrest a man suspected of carjacking two vehicles in Felton.
The deputy who was shot was reported to be in critical condition.
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Update at 4:30pm: Two suspects are in custody after a standoff at 10040 Highway 9 in Felton.
The entire town of Ben Lomond has been ordered to shelter in place.
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FELTON—Multiple law enforcement agencies are looking for a suspect who has stolen two vehicles at gunpoint in the Felton area Saturday afternoon, and struck two Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies in his attempt to flee.
Deputies responded to a report of a carjacking that occurred at 2:15pm, where a man reportedly took a white 2000 Toyota Camry while armed with an assault rifle, emergency dispatchers said.
As deputies approached, they reported that the suspect was lobbing “bombs” at them, and then called for a retreat and cordoned off the area.
As the suspect fled in the stolen car, he struck two deputies who were on foot. One was taken by air ambulance to a trauma center, dispatchers said. The second suffered minor injuries and did not need medical attention. There were unconfirmed reports that two officers were shot.
The suspect, described as a Hispanic man in his 30s wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants, reportedly abandoned the vehicle at 10065 Alba Road, and left on foot. Witnesses later said they saw blood in the car.
The suspect later used the rifle to steal a second car—a dark green Porche 911
Santa Cruz Police Department has deployed its BearCat armored vehicle, and is working with Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and the California Highway Patrol. Multiple police cruisers from agencies in neighboring Monterey County, including King City and Soledad, were seen speeding north on Highway 1 to the scene.
Police have established a command post at the Red Gables Church in Felton.
This story will be updated.
