Wanted Man Found Hiding in Crawl Space Under Watsonville Home

A Watsonville man wanted for assault, car theft and other charges tried to hide from county Gang Task Force agents by stuffing himself into a crawl space under a house on Lone Pine Avenue, authorities reported.

Julio Jeronimo, 31, had been seen hanging out at the house by Gang Task Force agents who were watching the property. With backup from several local police agencies, officers surrounded the house, according to Gang Task Force Cmdr. Mario Sulay.

Several people fled. 

Officers called for everyone else to exit the home. Some came out, including Yolanda Espinosa, 35, who is on probation, according to Sulay. 

Officers and a police dog then searched the house. They found Jeronimo hiding under the house; he had climbed through a small crawl space and was trapped in a confined, muddy area under the home, Sulay sai. 

Authorities coaxed Jeronimo out of the space and arrested him for the warrants. Espinosa was taken into custody on suspicion of harboring a fugitive, Sulay said. 

A loaded .45 caliber Hi Point semi-automatic pistol also was found in the living room of the house, Sulay said.