Resident Carjacked In His Driveway; Suspect Steals, Crashes SUV Before Arrest: Sheriff

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – A 25-year-old man was arrested on a slew of charges Saturday night after he allegedly confronted an area resident, forced himself into the man's house, stole the victim's keys and, subsequently, his SUV from the driveway, then crashed it into a patrol car and head-on into another vehicle, according to deputies.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office was called at about 11 p.m. to the 3300 block of Portola Drive in Santa Cruz after the victim called to report the carjacking and burglary.

The man said he was in his home when he heard noises coming from his driveway and spotted a light on and someone sitting in his GMC Yukon. The victim ran to his driveway and confronted the suspect, who allegedly then demanded the vehicle's keys, while keeping one hand concealed causing the resident to fear the perpetrator possibly had a gun, the agency said.

"Scared and wanting to call 911, the victim ran to his house," deputies said. "The suspect chased the victim and even though the victim was able to shut his front door, the suspect entered his home. In fear of his life, the victim ran out the back door, and the suspect found the keys and stole the victim’s SUV."

Nearby deputies saw the vehicle in the area of La Fonda and Soquel avenues in Santa Cruz, and unsuccessfully attempted to stop the driver, the department said. The driver, later identified as Tyler Evenson, of Santa Cruz, crashed into a dirt embankment near the Vine Hill Road freeway exit, deputies said, adding that Evenson then allegedly reversed the SUV and collided with and disabled a patrol vehicle.

The pursuit continued as Evenson reportedly led deputies on a chase that caused may cars to swerve out of his way, finally ending when he drove the SUV the wrong way onto Highway 17 and crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle near the intersection of Sugarloaf Road, the department said.

Evenson reportedly then fled on foot and attempted to carjack another driver, who grabbed the suspect and held him down until deputies arrived.

He was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted carjacking, evading a peace officer, hit-and-runs causing injury and property damage and resisting/delaying a peace officer.

"Miraculously, no one was seriously injured in this incident," the sheriff's office said.

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--Image via SCCSO