Mystery Disappearance, Stolen Plane: Watsonville Investigation

WATSONVILLE, CA — Over the last two weeks, the Watsonville Police Department has been working with federal agencies to track down a plane stolen from the Watsonville Municipal Airport. Police announced Thursday that they have a suspect in the case, but he has seemingly disappeared into thin air.

Watsonville resident Hugo Mar, 64, is suspected of stealing the aircraft the night of June 26. His car was abandoned at the airport and family and friends have not seen or heard from him since. A missing person's report was filed July 1.

A preliminary investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration determined the stolen plane crashed a few miles off the coast of the Santa Cruz Mountains, leaving no survivors. But the U.S. Coast Guard canvassed the area and was unable to locate any evidence of a crash, according to the WPD.

There is no video surveillance showing Mar getting into the plane, or of it taking off, however there is footage of the plane taxiing toward the runway after 8:30 p.m. on June 26, according to the WPD.

The plane's owner reported it stolen June 27, and the FAA and FBI were immediately notified.

Mar is an active member of a local flying club based out of the Watsonville airport, and the stolen plane had been leased to the club, according to police. Mar had attempted to reserve the aircraft but was denied by the flying club on the day it was stolen, police said.

"We’re at the point in our investigation where detectives are now asking for the public’s help," the WPD said in a released statement. Anyone who might have recently seen or spoken to Mar, or has information regarding the stolen plane, is asked to call Detective Trevor Ihlen at (831) 768-3321.