Man arrested in Santa Cruz armed robbery after chase

A Santa Cruz man is behind bars after he stole phones, clothes and a car with a dog inside at knife-point.

It happened at West Cliff Drive and Swift street Friday afternoon.

The victims were in their car when Matthew Stevens allegedly pulled out a knife and said, “That’s my stuff. Give it to me.”

He took iPhones and clothes, and he left in their Toyota 4-Runner with their dog in the car.

Police stopped the car near the 1100 block of Laurel Street. Stevens got out of the car and talked to the officer briefly before speeding away in the car.

The officer followed the car until it hit a boulder near the 4100 block of La Madrona Drive. Stevens got out and ran away.

With the help of CHP, Air support, Scotts Valley Police and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department, Stevens was arrested in the parking lot behind the Scotts Valley Hilton.

Stevens is on probation and was arrested for armed robbery, violation of probation and felony reckless evading.