UCSC Student Hitchhikes, Briefly Held Against Will: Police

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – A student at the University of California at Santa Cruz who hitchhiked from a bus stop was briefly held against her will early this morning, campus police said.

The student was waiting for a bus at the Kresge College stop near Heller and McLaughlin drives around 12:45 a.m. when she caught a ride from a passing driver to the base of campus, police said.

The driver who agreed to give her a lift started a casual conversation with her. He didn't stop the car as they approached High Street and Bay Drive, according to police.

The suspect continued traveling on Bay Drive for another mile despite the student's pleas to pull over and stop. The student exited the car as the driver slowed down to turn on Mission Street, according to police.
The driver fled from the scene and the student was left with minor injuries, police said.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his mid 20s with a Spanish accent and short, slicked back hair. He appeared to be under the influence and was smoking marijuana, according to police.

The suspect vehicle was a newer-model, four-door sedan that was dark gray or silver with red paper license plates from a Watsonville car dealership, police said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call campus police at (831) 459-2231, ext. 1.

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--Bay City News/File photo