Watsonville armed robbery suspect in custody after standoff with police
UPDATE 5:13 a.m.: After a stand-off and hours of negotiations, Watsonville Police were able to capture the suspect in multiple Santa Cruz County armed robberies.
29-year-old Jordan Ramirez had to be treated at a hospital following contact with tear gas and “less-lethal munitions” from police. He will be booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail once he’s treated.
Ramirez is facing several charges related to armed robbery, evading police and stealing a vehicle.
He was located by Watsonville Police and tried driving off in a stolen car. He crashed that car into a light pole and a parked car before running away and hiding in a shed at a home.
“He just ran into a random home and hid in that shed,” says Watsonville Police’s Public Information Officer, Michelle Pulido. “It was a very frightening moment for people inside that home. Luckily, no one was injured. Everyone was safe.”
Police say this whole incident started with an armed robbery reported somewhere in Santa Cruz County over the weekend.
A second, violent, armed robbery took place in Watsonville Wednesday morning. Ramirez is the suspect in both cases.
UPDATE: Watsonville Police say the suspect is in custody as of 10PM.
A man wanted for two armed robberies has barricaded himself inside a shed in Watsonville.
According to Watsonville Police, 29-year-old Jordan Ramirez committed a violent armed robbery in Watsonville Wednesday morning. Ramirez is also accused of committing a robbery in Santa Cruz County over the weekend. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating that case.
Police said as Watsonville detectives were investigating the latest robbery Wednesday, officers spotted Ramirez and tried to stop him, but he drove off leading them a short chase. The chase ended when Ramirez crashed into a telephone pole in a parked car. He got out of the car and ran from officers and into a shed.
Police believe he is holed up inside the shed on the side of a home on the 900 block of Lincoln Street.
“In these types of situations, the first thing officers are going to do is slow things down because they want to ensure everyone’s safety. We want to thank residents and the community for their patience and cooperation as we try and negotiate with this wanted suspect,” said Michelle Pulido,
Police detained a passenger who was inside the car with Ramirez.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office brought in their drone to help police search the area.
Police are asking the public to keep away from Lincoln, East High, Madison and California Street as the standoff continues.
