Two people in custody after home invasion

UPDATE 6/13/2019 10:50 a.m. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men in connection to a home invasion in Ben Lomond.

They arrested 21-year-old Noah Benjamin Hatcher and 31-year-old Anthony Charles Jefferson. Both men are Texas residents.

Hatcher and Jefferson are both facing robbery, kidnapping, assault with a firearm, obstruction and conspiracy charges.

The home invasion happened around 1:30 p.m. near Hihn Road and Bahr Drive on Wednesday. The victims said the suspects took marijuana from the home and tied them up at gunpoint.

One of the victims was hit in the head with a gun, so he was treated and later released from the hospital.

Deputies say the suspects rand into the woods as they got there, so along with Scotts Valley police, Santa Cruz police, State Parks and the CHP organized a search.

About 30 minutes after the search started, Hatcher was arrested, and later Jefferson was too. Deputies also found two replica handguns that were used in the robbery.

During the investigation, deputies found out that the two had come to Santa Cruz county for a pre-arranged marijuana transaction at the victim’s home. They planned to buy 10 pounds of it, but allegedly stole more than 30 pounds, worth about $50,000. It was found outside of the home.

UPDATE: Two people are now in custody after a home invasion in Ben Lomond.

The home invasion happened around 1:30 p.m. near Hihn Road and Bahr Drive.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office says they received a 911 call, but no one said anything. The dispatcher heard what sounded like a struggle and deputies were sent to the area.

When deputies arrived, they heard commotion coming from the home, then two suspects took off running. “We located two victims, at this point we believe were robbed and kidnapped, and we were told that the suspects were armed,” said Lt. Jim Ross with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies set up a perimeter with the help of several other law enforcement agencies and began their search for the suspects. A shelter in place notification was also sent out to residents in the area.

“We had K-9 units from Santa Cruz Police Department, Scotts Valley Police Department and two of our own K-9 units on scene, so there were multiple tracks going on and that was successful. We were able to locate the suspects and some potential evidence as well.”

As of 6:30 detectives were still collecting evidence. They have not yet released the identities of the suspects.

One of the victims was injured in the incident, but is expected to be okay.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirms there is an ongoing search for an armed suspect near Bahr Drive and Hihn Road.

Officials say it started with a possible home invasion. One person is detained for questioning, and another is on the loose. He is only described as a black male.

One victim is injured, but injuries are not life-threatening.

Those in the area are asked to shelter in place and keep an eye out as the search continues.

KION has a reporter en route and will update the story as more information becomes available.