Watsonville Man Arrested In Countywide Gas Siphoning Spree

WATSONVILLE, CA -- Deputies in Santa Cruz County have arrested a man suspected of being involved in several gas theft incidents throughout the county over the last several months. Michael Harrington, 31, of Watsonville, was arrested Friday on suspicion of vehicle burglary, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said there were several gas thefts reported throughout the county in recent months.

In one incident on July 9, several gas tanks were siphoned, and the suspect drilled into one tank causing approximately $2,400 in damage to the vehicle.

Surveillance cameras in the area of Cabrillo College in Aptos captured a black GMC Yukon-style vehicle during several of the thefts.

The same vehicle was captured on surveillance video again on Friday at 5:20 a.m. at 1000 Emeline Ave. in Santa Cruz during an incident in which another gas tank was drilled.

Around 7 a.m. Friday, the same vehicle was seen at Cabrillo College where another tank was siphoned from a car.

A sheriff's office deputy spotted the same vehicle around 10 a.m. on Friday in the area of 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive.

The driver, identified as Harrington, was taken into custody and arrested.

Deputies said the Yukon smelled of gas and contained gas-siphoning equipment, a drill and several gas tanks.

--Bay City News/Photo via Shutterstock