Armed Robbery, Attempted Carjacking Reported Early This Morning In Santa Cruz Co.

Police this morning are investigating an overnight armed robbery and attempted carjacking in Watsonville.

Officers responded at 1:19 a.m. to the 7-Eleven at 1461 Main St. in response to an armed robbery that had just occurred, police said. The victim, identified as a 47-year-old woman, told police she was approaching the ATM machine at Bay Federal Credit Union at 1481 Main St. when three suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts came up to her.

One of the suspects pulled a handgun and ordered the victim to hand over her car keys, police said. The victim pleaded with the suspect not to take her, the suspect ended up taking her cell phone, and the suspects fled the area on foot, police said.

They were last seen running east in the area of Main Street and Clifford Avenue. Responding officers conducted an extensive search of the area but were unable to locate the suspects, police said.

Police described the suspects as Hispanic men between 16 and 18 years old. The suspect with the gun was light-skinned, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and had a heavy build. The gun was described as a semi-automatic handgun.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department Tip Line at (831) 768-3544 or the Watsonville Police Department Investigation Bureau at (831) 768-3352.

--Bay City News