Three suspects involved in an armed robbery this morning near Highway 9 and State Route 35—where Skyline Boulevard and the route between Saratoga and Boulder Creek intersect—were at large on Monday afternoon, authorities said.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said a victim had their belongings taken at gunpoint by multiple people in the vicinity of a public nature preserve, just before 8:15am.
“The suspects were spotted driving in the area by a neighboring agency and became involved in a pursuit,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ashley Keehn. “They ended up crashing a short time later near mile marker 24 on Highway 9 and fleeing on foot.”
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Russell Davis confirmed their deputies responded to a call for aid at 8:15am in the 11000 block of Skyline Boulevard.
Cal Fire CZU spokesperson Cecile Juliette said a couple firetrucks were dispatched to the accident scene at 8:54am and were released at 11:08am.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects left behind a stolen vehicle, which had not yet been reported missing, as well as two loaded guns.
A shelter in place was issued for the surrounding area but was later lifted.
“Although several guns were already recovered, these suspects are considered armed and dangerous,” Keehn said. “If you see the suspect(s) please do not approach, and call 911.”
The suspects were described as three people in their 20s: a man around 120 pounds with glasses; a heavyset man (around 5’10”) wearing black pants and a black shirt; and a woman in a Raiders windbreaker wearing black gloves who stood about 5’5” and may have a tattoo under an eye.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office dispatch line at 831-471-1121.
*Updated at 3:27pm Monday, July 3 to include detail about possible tattoo
