The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said last week it had recovered more than $30,000 worth of stolen bikes and $2,000 worth of tools from an encampment in Live Oak.
The sheriff’s office said deputies responded to reports from Live Oak citizens concerned about a localized increase in crime near the Arana Gulch area.
Deputies and a community policing team performed a foot patrol on April 29 through a protected habitat in the area, where they discovered an encampment with drug paraphernalia. A man attempted to flee as officers approached his tent, but deputies caught him after a brief foot pursuit.
The man, identified as Joshua Morris, claimed that none of the stolen items were his, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators say Morris was found with drug packaging materials, cash, police scanners and over 100 grams of fentanyl — more than 50 potentially lethal doses. He was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges.
At the encampment, deputies also discovered multiple stolen mountain bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and dozens of tools. Police have returned some items to their owners but are still seeking additional victims.
“We’re doing everything we can to prevent these crimes and return property to its rightful owners,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.
Santa Cruz County residents whose property may have been recovered can email Detective Alex Spencer at alexander.spencer@santacruzcountyca.gov. Residents of different counties should report their stolen items to their local police department.
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