Suspected Prowlers Arrested In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Two people suspected of prowling in a Santa Cruz County neighborhood were arrested on multiple charges this week, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office officials said. As the man and the woman sat in a truck parked in the 17,900 block of Big Basin Way in Boulder Creek on Monday, they were allegedly confronted by a vigilant neighbor. The neighbor chased them out of the area after they abandoned their truck, which wouldn’t start.

Deputies who were called to investigate said the suspects, later identified as Jonathan Luczak and Nicole Papineau, returned to the area on a dirt bike. Officials said Luczak tried to run from deputies and hid in a tree. Luczak was arrested soon after climbing down.

Papineau was arrested on suspicion of possessing burglary tools, prowling, and being an accessory to a crime. Luczak was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, prowling, fleeing from Deputies, possession of a controlled substance, and driving with a suspended license. Both were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.

Photos courtesy Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office