Felon arrested after 10 stolen vehicles recovered from Santa Cruz property

A Santa Cruz man was arrested Friday for vehicle theft after 10 stolen cars were recovered at a property in Santa Cruz.

The California Highway Patrol Coastal Division and Santa Cruz Police Department discovered the stolen vehicles and a 12-gauge pump action shotgun after serving a search warrant at 5252 Branciforte Drive.

The CHP said suspect Ryan Michael Peterson refused to comply and barricaded himself inside a trailer. After several hours of negotiations, Peterson came out and was arrested.

He was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicles, violation of parole, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Reduction Task Force investigated the case and initially thought the suspect was in possession of at least two stolen vehicles.

The suspect had prior felony convictions.

KION