Manhunt Snares 2 Suspects In Violent Ben Lomond Drug Deal

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA — After a massive police search Wednesday in the San Lorenzo Valley that included a drone, search dogs and a "shelter in place" warning for residents, two men are in custody following a home invasion that left two people bound with zip ties, officials reported.

The incident began when the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office received a call at approximately 1:30 p.m. from a home in the 400 block of Bahr Drive in Ben Lomond. Once on scene, deputies discovered two victims who said a duo invaded the home, took marijuana at gunpoint, and then tied them up and fled, according to the SCCSO.

One of the victim's was beaten in the head with a gun, the agency reported.

The suspects took off into the woods, so a multiagency search effort began. Scotts Valley Police, Santa Cruz Police, State Parks, and the California Highway Patrol all joined the search while local residents were told to stay inside for safety.

A K9 team and drone were used in the search, and within about 30 minutes police found one of the suspects who was identified as 21-year-old Noah Hatcher of Texas. Later in the day, police caught up with the second suspect, identified as Anthony Jefferson, 31, also from Texas. Both men had traveled from the Lone Star State to the Ben Lomond home for a prearranged marijuana deal, the SCCSO reported.

Hatcher and Jefferson had planned to purchase approximately 10 pounds of pot, and instead made off with nearly 30 pounds, the sheriff's office reported. The marijuana was recovered, as were two replica handguns that Hatcher and Jefferson used during the robbery, according to the SCCSO.

Both suspects were booked into county jail on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy. The victim who was beaten with the replica handgun was treated at a local hospital and later released.

Officials are reviewing the facts in the case to determine how to address the illegal drugs offered for sale.