Crime & Safety
Watsonville Teens Suspected of Carjacking, Santa Cruz Gas Station Robbery
Police recovered two handguns and said the teens were Norteño gang members.
Two Watsonville teenagers were arrested early Saturday following a cross-county crime spree, Santa Cruz police reported.
The teens, ages 15 and 17, were caught by Watsonville police during a county-wide protocol to search for vehicles and suspects in major crimes just after the 12:16 a.m. robbery at the Valero gas station at 1516 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz, police said.
The teens had reportedly carjacked someone in Watsonville on Friday night then drove to Santa Cruz, where the robbed the gas station at gunpoint, police said. They later drove back to Watsonville and that's when they were apprehended.
During the gunpoint heist, the clerk fled into the office of the business and locked the door. The clerk was not injured, police said.
The robbers did not get any cash and fled, police said.
Back in Watsonville, police pursued the car because it matched the description of the vehicle that had been stolen earlier. The teens gave chase, but were caught, according to Santa Cruz police.
Two guns were recovered. Police said the teens were Norteño gang members.
The teens were arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, possession of a firearm and gang participation, police said.
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