Murder Case; Pursuit Ends In Ocean: Santa Cruz County Police Logs

A man is charged in a Santa Cruz County murder case; a police pursuit ends in the Pacific; and more in police, fire and courts this week.

Posted Thu, Jul 2, 2020 at 7:19 pm PT

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Here's a collection of police, fire and courts news from around the county this week:

Police say the man groomed the young victim.

The shooting followed a botched robbery attempt, police said.

UPDATE: The man was apprehended after reportedly committing a car-jacking and leading police on a chase that topped 100 mph, police said.

Lucas Klatt, 39, is being held on a $100,000 bond for crimes involving a victim under age 15. Police believe there may be more victims.

The City Council approved the change four years after Chief Andy Mills placed a moritorium on the practice of using data to police the area.

Forward progress of the fire has been stopped after the blaze started near Wilder Ranch State Park that impacted 20 acres, officials said.

A man is accused of a hate crime for beating a Black man in Santa Cruz while using racial epithets Sunday, police said.

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