Suspected Car Thief Arrested & Stolen Car Recovered

On evening of Thursday 9/24/15, an observant and concerned citizen reported that 3 suspects had been observed removing license plates from a gold colored Honda Pilot and discarded the license plates in a nearby dumpster. This was a useful and timely tip.

A 2011 gold Honda Pilot had been reported stolen to the Santa Cruz Police Department on Wednesday 9/23/15. The car was stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Morrissey Blvd.

As a routine practice, SCPD officers are always on the lookout for stolen cars while on patrol. The responding officer investigating the tip interviewed the witnesses and discovered video surveillance was available. The surveillance video was taken in the area at the time the suspects removed the license plates from the stolen car. A short while later, members of the Santa Cruz Police Department set up a strategy to find the car and catch the suspected car theft.

SCPD Officers intercepted the stolen Honda Pilot in a local hotel parking lot. The suspect car thief was identified as Katelyn Freitas, age 26 from Santa Cruz.

During a search of Freitas’s hotel room, officers found narcotics and a variety of stolen items in her possession. Among the stolen items included jewelry, golf clubs, multiple ID's and credit cards. 

The investigation into this vehicle theft and the related burglaries is continuing and additional arrests may follow. 

Katelyn Freitas was on probation with confirmed search terms and was in possession of numerous stolen items; as well as narcotics. Freitas was arrested and booked for vehicle theft, receiving/possessing of a stolen property, possession of narcotics and probation violation.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820 or Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995. www.santacruzpolice.com