Crime & Safety
Santa Cruz Police Arrest Two on Counterfeiting Charge
A man and woman tried to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at a restaurant on the 900 block of Ocean Street, police said. It took a foot chase to catch one of them.
A man and woman who tried to pass a fake $100 to a clerk who knew better were arrested Thursday by Santa Cruz Police officers, after a foot chase.
The couple first passed a real $100 to a restaurant clerk and asked for change. Then, they allegedly tried a fake $100, which the clerk denied. They left in a green Volvo and the clerk reported the crime to police.
Officer Brian Hatcher saw a car that matched the description approaching Highway 17. He followed and stopped them on Highway 17, just north of Highway 1.
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Hatcher was talking to the driver, Lea Cagel, 41, a transient, when her passenger, Joseph Taylor, 32, of San Jose, took off running.
Sgt. Dan Flippo pulled up just as Taylor ran off and he followed him and caught him on a hill near southbound Highway 1.
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The couple were found with methamphetamines, several hundred dollars, scales, jewelry, a gold bullion piece and several phones.
They were booked into Santa Cruz County jail.
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