PRESS RELEASE

DATE / TIME of EVENT: May 27^th, 2008, 1710 hrs

DATE OF RELEASE: May, 28^th, 2008

LOCATION: 333 Rider Road, Corralitos

TYPE OF CRIME: Trespassing, prowling, probation violation, under the influence of a controlled substance.

SUSPECT ARRESTED:

1. Joshua Gilchrist- wma, DOB- 6/16/1979, of Watsonville, arrested for being under the influence of methamphetamine and violating terms of probation.

2. Jerry Smith- wma, DOB- 01/20/1972, of Corralitos, arrested for trespassing, prowling, outstanding arrest warrant and violating terms of probation

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:

On May 27^th, 2008, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling the fire area in Santa Cruz County. Joshua Gilchrist was contacted as he walked off Rider Road, onto Eureka Canyon. Gilchrist is on felony probation out of Santa Cruz County for theft related crimes. Gilchrist was arrested for being under the influence of methamphetamine and violating his probation terms.

Additional members of the Sheriff’s Office began a door to door check of the residences in the area. At 333 Rider Road, Deputies located Jerry Smith. The residents of 333 Rider Road were not home at the time.

Deputies located Jerry Smith’s vehicle stuck behind the residence. The vehicle, a full size Ford Bronco and trailer, was stuck between a redwood tree and a retaining wall. It appeared that the Bronco was driven behind the house, staying off surface roads in order to avoid detection of patrolling Deputies.

Inside the Bronco and trailer was scrap metal including water pumps, engine parts and a Warn brand wench. Smith later admitted that he and Gilchrist were in the Bronco together when the Bronco became stuck. Neither Smith nor Gilchrist could provide a plausible explanation of where the scrap metal came from.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is asking that any persons who may have had similar items stolen from their property to please call Sheriff’s Investigations at 831-454-2311.

PHOTO’S- Both suspects’ and suspect vehicle photos, available from shfmedia@co.santa-cruz.ca.us.

PREPARED by Sgt. Frank Gombos

APPROVED by Lt. Phil Wowak

Distribution: Sheriff, Bureau Chiefs, Investigations, P.I.O, Patrol roll call, Press Board, Webmaster, Service Centers, Cabrillo Sheriff, Local press fax.