By Jondi Gumz
Looters and burglars targeting areas evacuated by the CZU Lightning Complex fire have been a problem.
On Aug. 28, deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people — Jose Gandarilla, Susana Luna, Crystal Araujo, Sara Loretz and Crystle Parstch-Lucchesi — in the Fall Creek Drive area of Felton on looting, burglary and grand theft charges.
Deputies said when they tried to stop two cars, one driver stopped, but the other fled and the car ended up in a ditch.
“We’re aware of eight cases so far,” said Sheriff Jim Hart at an impromptu Sunday afternoon press conference with District Attorney Jeff Rosell to highlight their concern.
Those arrested for looting will be prosecuted, Rosell said, and those who price-gouge can expect prosecution as well.
Jose Gandarilla
Sara Loretz
Crystle Parstch-Lucchesi
On the weekend, 90 law enforcement officers were patrolling and protecting the evacuated areas, Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Felton, and Scotts Valley to stop burglars and looters.
Two-thirds of those officers were from other communities; the city of Santa Cruz and Watsonville each provided 10 personnel and Alameda County provided 30.
Crystal Araujo
Susana Luna
On Monday, 79 law enforcement officers were patrolling for looters, 33 deputies and the rest from other jurisdictions.
They followed up on 17 calls about suspicious vehicles and made two arrests, one a man, 49, from Santa Cruz, who had $5,000 cash, binoculars and a video camera, and the other was a woman, 51.
“It’s against the law (to be in evacuated areas),” said Deputy Chief Chris Clark, noting a resident who had returned got a citation.
The Sheriff’s Office is not letting anyone into the evacuation zones in the unincorporated parts of the county due to the danger. Fire may move unexpectedly and tree branches weakened by fire may fall.
“We understand there are things that were left behind, but again it is too dangerous to let people back in at this time,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on the agency’s Facebook page.
This week, Clark said there were no arrests for burglaries in the evacuated areas, which he took as a sign that the number of officers deployed is having an impact.
Anyone who sees looting or suspicious activity on a security camera is asked to call dispatch immediately, 831-471-1121.