Two suspects arrested for shooting at CHP

SCOTTS VALLEY—The California Highway Patrol has arrested two people they say shot at a CHP officer Tuesday night in Scotts Valley.

Alexandria Luevanos, 41, of Berkeley, and Kristopher Payopay, 40, of Lathrop, were arrested after officers said they led them on a chase down Highway 17 into Scotts Valley and fired at least one shot at them.

The CHP says Payopay is the suspected gunman, and Luevanos drove the black GMC Yukon that fled from police after officers approached the vehicle that was stopped on the shoulder of southbound Highway 17 near Glenwood Drive on Tuesday around 9:50pm.

Suspecting she was possibly under the influence, the officers followed the Yukon and attempted to pull her over. She failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens, and a pursuit ensued, Gutierrez said.

The Yukon exited Highway 17 to Scotts Valley Drive and continued into Scotts Valley. 

That’s when Payopay began shooting at the officers, who discontinued the pursuit, according to CHP officer Alyssa Gutierrez.

Officers early Wednesday found the abandoned Yukon in a residential neighborhood on Tabor Drive in Scotts Valley. 

Later that morning the CHP received multiple calls of a pedestrian matching the description of Payopay walking along Highway 17 near Laurel Road. The CHP officers found Payopay and arrested him. A weapon was later recovered during a search of the area. 

Police found Luevanos in the Scotts Valley area the following morning and arrested her.

Payopay is being charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, assault with a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call investigators at the CHP’s Santa Cruz Area office 662-0511.