Gang Task Force Makes Three Arrests in Watsonville

A 33-year-old Watsonville woman was arrested Thursday on suspicion of car theft and two teenage boys were picked up Friday for the same charge following a chase through Watsonville, the county Gang Task Force reported. 

The first incident happened around 8 p.m. Thursday on Ohlone Parkway at Main Street when officers stopped Monike Tone on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle. They did a routine check of the car and found it had been reported stolen to the San Jose Police Department in March, the Gang Task Force reported. 

Tone, a Watsonville resident, was arrested for grand theft auto and a probation violation.

Then on Friday night, Gang Task Force officers pulled over a speeding car on Freedom Boulevard at Stanford Street that had three young men in it. The vehicle suddenly fled after the stop and led the officers on a chase through Watsonville, authorities reported.

The vehicle had been reported stolen to the California Highway Patrol earlier in the day from Casa De La Cultural Center in Pajaro  The vehicle was a pool car for the facility for its staff, authorities reported.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed at the entrance to a mobile home park at 525 Airport Blvd. The driver fled. 

One occupant, a 15-year-old Watsonville boy was caught after a foot chase.  Another occupant, a 14-year-old Watsonville boy was detained trying to exit the vehicle.  Both juveniles were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, gang participation, resisting arrest and possession of an illegal knife, according to the Gang Task Force.