Teens Arrested Following Armed Robbery, Police Chase, Manhunt

Armed and driving a stolen minivan, five Watsonville teenagers went on a crime spree Sunday afternoon that caused lockdowns in Mid-County neighborhoods before a massive manhunt captured the boys, ages 15-18.

The felonious events started just after 4:30 p.m. when the teens robbed the at 3125 Freedom Blvd. in Corralitos. One of the teens, who was armed with a handgun, shot at the clerk but the bullet missed, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The teens got away with cash. Deputies didn't say how much.

They fled north on Freedom Boulevard in a 2004 Toyota Sienna. Deputies caught up to the van at Freedom and Soquel Drive, in Aptos. The teens wouldn't pull over, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Capitola police and the California Highway Patrol joined in the pursuit, which wound through Aptos and Soquel, then headed up Soquel San Jose Road, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The teens ditched the van, which had been stolen in Watsonville earlier this fall, on the 2300 block of Soquel San Jose Road and ran into the woods. Cops searched the wildland for the boys and they were eventually arrested, according to the .

All five were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and possessing a stolen vehicle. Mark Lopez, 18, was the only adult in the group. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail and held on $455,000 bail. The four others—a 15-year-old, 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds—were incarcerated at Juvenile Hall in Felton. Their names were not released because of their age.

Deputies are still looking for additional witnesses and gun used. Also, detectives are investigating the teens for their possible connection to other recent robberies in the county. Detectives ask that anyone with information about the crimes call the Investigation Division at 454-2311 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 454-2847.