CHP

Shortly after midnight last night a PG&E truck was swept off the roadway during the storm when a portion of Valencia School Road in Aptos washed out. Fortunately, the driver involved walked away from the scene with minor injuries. Our utility workers really are the unsung heroes working around the clock during these storms. We cannot thank them enough!

Would you look at that! Snow in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Although most of it has already melted away with this mornings rain showers.

As Santa Cruz County prepares for this week’s storm, and evacuation orders roll out related to debris flows in the mountain areas, we want to remind motorists to use caution when driving during inclement weather. Motorists must recognize the dangers of driving on flooded roadways. Never drive through standing water. You never know how deep the water is, or the conditions of the roadway beneath the water especially when water is flowing rapidly. Plan ahead! When there is a possibility of encountering inclement weather, recognize it may take longer to reach your destination. Leave early to allow for delays and avoid unwanted stress.

If you live in the San Lorenzo Valley, please read and be prepared.

It was a wild ride this afternoon for an 84-year-old San Jose man whose medical transport van was stolen while parked outside of a medical center in San Jose. The van thief, a 34-year-old San Jose woman, drove off with the elderly male still inside and headed towards Santa Cruz. San Jose Police alerted CHP of the kidnapping and CHP spotted the van traveling over Highway 17. CHP attempted to stop the van and were led on a chase which ended near the clocktower in downtown Santa Cruz. The man was found safe and sound despite his unexpected trip to Santa Cruz and his would-be kidnapper was taken into custody with the help of the Santa Cruz Police Department and handed over to the San Jose Police Department.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. Today we ran to raise awareness and vital funds to save sports, health, fitness, and education programs for @SONorCal athletes. @LETR4SONorCal @capitolapd @scottsvalleypolicedepartment

Congratulations CTC III-19! Have to say... we do love our EVOC staff.

Buddy’s Corner This post has been a while coming but we wanted to share with you that Buddy has officially retired (pictured first). Buddy is now enjoying retired life roaming greener pastures nearby with some of his closest K9 pals. When reached for comment, Buddy let us know, It’s a RUFF life, but someone’s got to do it, before running off with his friends. Introducing Champ! Champ recently graduated from the CHP’s K9 dual-purpose 11-week academy. Champ is a German Shep...herd from Denmark trained in both narcotics detection and suspect apprehension. During his first month on patrol, Champ and his handler made a stop for speed when Champ alerted to narcotics in a vehicle which led to the seizure of 30 pounds of methamphetamine. We asked Champ what he thinks about his new career and he told us It’s PAWSOME! Fur reals. Champ recently turned 2 years old on July 4th and we’re excited to see where his adventures lead us. Look for future posts from Champ’s Corner! @chpcoastaldivision #chpk9 #chp

MULTI COUNTY PURSUIT ENDS IN FRONT OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL Yesterday, at approximately 1500 hours, CHP Santa Cruz was called to assist CHP San Jose with a vehicle pursuit traveling into Santa Cruz county. CHP San Jose was in pursuit of a Toyota Prius wanted for a speed violation. CHP Santa Cruz units responded and took over the pursuit on southbound SR-17 at Mt. Hermon Rd. The Toyota, driven by a 30-year-old San Jose man, continued to evade officers into the City of Santa... Cruz. CHP Officers ultimately disabled the Toyota and apprehended the suspect directly in front of the Santa Cruz County Jail. The driver was taken into custody and charged with numerous felonies including felony DUI. We continue to always stay vigilant and prepared to answer the call for service for our community, neighboring CHP offices, and allied agencies! S/O to Santa Cruz Police for the on-scene assistance!

14-year-old calls in DUI driver. Capitola, Ca - A man who drove to the Monte Family Skate Park in Capitola was reported to CHP as being under the influence, after getting into a verbal altercation with children at the park and driving off in a Volvo station wagon. A 14-year-old juvenile at the park called CHP and gave a description of the vehicle and license plate which assisted CHP in locating the driver at the 76-gas station in Aptos. The driver was passed out in his car when officers located him. CHP conducted a DUI investigation and arrested the 58-year-old driver for suspicion of DUI.

Santa Cruz Mountains Chop Shop Arrest On Thursday, October 22nd, a CHP led auto theft task-force along with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office responded to an address on Highland Way in a remote area of the Santa Cruz Mountains to serve a search warrant on a suspected Chop Shop. Information was developed for the search warrant from a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office patrol deputy who had alerted the task-force of suspicious auto theft activity in the area. During the ...initial response, the known suspect Victor Avalos, was not on the premises searched. The task-force recovered a total of 9 stolen vehicles which included automobiles, a travel trailer and an ATV. As the auto theft task-force was leaving the area in the evening, they encountered Avalos walking nearby on Highland Way. Avalos fled on foot and officers apprehended Avalos a short time later, taking him into custody.

#nationalteendriversafetyweek is October 18-24th. CHP pulled over this 15-year-old driver from Gilroy this afternoon on his way to the beach with friends for traveling 87 MPH on Highway 1. Suffice it to say, his trip to the beach was cut short. Reckless & distracted driving is the # 1 killer of Teens in America. @ots_ca @impactdrivers

Lucky to be alive! Amazingly this 21 year old unlicensed driver only had minor injuries but speed was definitely a factor that contributed to this dynamic collision which occurred this afternoon on Highway 17 near Mount Hermon Road. Another reminder that the rules of the road are in place for everyone’s safety. #inthistogether #safetydoesnthurt

Car stolen yesterday from Watsonville was located in Aptos this afternoon thanks to help from the @santacruzcountyso Driver in-custody for auto theft and DUI.

Due to a quick response from the Santa Cruz Police and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, a man was apprehended after vandalizing cars at the court house parking lot. One of our officers was in court when a bottle was thrown through his CHP patrol car window. The suspect was apprehended a short distance away as he attempted to run away from law enforcement.

A Santa Cruz man led CHP on a pursuit this morning after officers received calls of reckless driving in the Capitola area. The pursuit ended in Aromas when CHP successfully executed a PIT maneuver, putting an end to the reckless evading.

We would like to end this night by recognizing the courageous women of the Santa Cruz CHP office! We thank you for the years of continuous hard work and dedication to create a safer community for all! We appreciate you! #nationalpolicewomansday

PHASE 8 repopulation for Santa Cruz County has begun this afternoon with roadways opening in the area of Empire Grade. To check if your zone has reopened, go to https://tinyurl.com/y3zc8hpt Updated #CZULightningComplex road closure list for Santa Cruz County: - Swanton Road entirely at State Route 1 including Last Chance Road - (Upper) State Route 236 at Waterman Gap Loop... - (Lower) State Route 236 west of Midway Ranch Road - 16595 Jamison Creek west of State Route 236 - Acorn Drive at State Route 9 See more

Today we take a moment to reflect and remember all the heroes that were lost. #inittogether #unitedwestand