SANTA CRUZ, Calif- Santa Cruz police are searching for three men they say attempted to rob the Del Williams Jewelers store on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, armed with sledgehammers.
The incident happened Friday afternoon at 12:55 p.m. Police said the three suspects walked into the store at tried to break a glass jewelry case. Officers said one of the suspects sprayed employees in the store with pepper spray while the other two men tried to break the jewelry case. They weren't able to break it open and fled the scene in a car parked on Pacific Avenue.
Police say the three suspects got away in a black Audi A7 with paper plates from Audi of Oakland. CHP, Santa Cruz County, and Santa Cruz Police officers were set up at every highway exit between Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley, on lookout for the suspects.
Several people called in reporting the vehicle was driving recklessly through downtown Santa Cruz and along Highway 1. Police found the car abandoned on the 100 block of Fern Street. When officers contacted the Audi of Oakland dealership they found out the car was an unreported stolen car. The dealership told police the car had been missing from their lot for the past two days, but they didn't file a police report.
Detectives are going to process the car for evidence, then give it back to the dealership.
Santa Cruz County CHP Officers have been set up at every highway exit between Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley, on lookout for the suspects.
The three male suspects are described as black or Hispanic wearing baggy blue jeans, and black ski masks covering their faces. Two of the men were wearing black hooded sweatshirts, the other was wearing gray. Police believe the men are between 20-25 years old. Police don't have a description of the 4th suspect who was waiting in the get-away car.
Police say these suspects used the same methods as several robberies that have happened recently in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Central Coast News has a crew in route, gathering information, and will bring you the latest details here at www.kionrightnow.com
