Father and Son Arrested During Carjacking and Attempt Homicide Investigation

Arrested:

John Thomas, Jr., 39 years old – Santa Cruz Resident

Brandon Thomas, 21 years old – Santa Cruz Resident

A father and son are in custody in Santa Cruz County Jail for crimes of violence and possession of a firearm charges after an investigation into a Carjacking and Attempted Murder. 

On Wednesday December 18, 2013, Santa Cruz Police arrested John Thomas, Jr. (39 years old) in connection with an Attempted Carjacking and Attempted Homicide in the 100 block of Bixby Street. 

At approximately 6:50 PM officers responded to a report of an attempted carjacking in the 100 block of Bixby Street.  Officers contacted the victims, a 46 year old man and 3 members of his family (wife and 2 children) from Live Oak.  The victim family was delivering holiday tamales to their son’s teacher and parked in the 100 block of Bixby Street.  While the family was parked, suspect John Thomas approached the car and demanded entry. 

Thomas was armed with a revolver handgun and pointed it at the occupants of the car. At one point he pounded on the window with the butt of the handgun attempting to gain entry.   The woman was able to grab her 3 month old baby and flee from the car, while the male victim was confronted by Mr. Thomas. 

During the confrontation, suspect Thomas actually pointed the handgun at the victim’s chest and pulled the trigger several times.  Detectives later recovered the discarded firearm and learned Mr. Thomas actually had the wrong ammunition loaded.  Mr. Thomas had .380 caliber ammunition intended for a semi-automatic handgun, loaded into a .38 caliber revolver.  Because of this, thankfully, the firing pin did not strike bullet primer to fire the gun. 

A description of suspect John Thomas, Jr. was broadcast and he was located by other responding officers in the 300 block of Ocean St. He was safely taken into custody and positively identified as the suspect.   Detectives canvassed the area and found Mr. Thomas’ discarded handgun also in the 300 block of Ocean Street. 

While investigating this case, officers learned of a second case, where Mr. Thomas pointed his handgun at the occupants of a passing car and attempted to get the driver to stop. 

John Thomas, Jr. is currently on parole for violent crimes in Santa Cruz.  His arrest record dates back to 1992 for various crimes of violence, including crimes of violence while in prison.  John Thomas, Jr. is a validated prison gang member.  His history since release from prison includes several arrests for violating his terms of parole. 

John Thomas, Jr. was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges including, (1) Carjacking, (2) Attempted Homicide, (3) Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and (4) Violation of Parole.  

On Thursday December 19^th, Detectives served a search warrant at Mr. Thomas’ residence in the 300 block of Soquel Ave.  In the course of serving that search warrant, Mr. Thomas’ son, 21 year old Brandon Thomas approached the home and confronted officers.  Brandon Thomas was detained and searched where he was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun.   Brandon Thomas is identified as a Norteno gang member affiliating with Westside Nortenos in Santa Cruz. 

Brandon Thomas was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for being in possession of a loaded firearm as well as enhancements for participation in a criminal street gang.  Detectives obtained a bail increase to $100,000.

Sketch of Bus Stop Shooting Suspect

Below is a sketch of the suspect that robbed and shot a UCSC student at a bus stop on February 11, 2013.  The sketch was created by our victim and a sketch artist this evening (February 12th).  If you see him or recognize him CALL 9-1-1.  

He is described as a light skinned male, approx 5'7" medium build, with a several day growth of beard.  wearing a grey hoodie, and a red bandana covering his face.  He may be associated with a white Chrysler PT Cruiser. 

Help us Find This Car and Suspect

On February 11, 2013 at approximately 7:30 PM Santa Cruz Police officers responded to a report of a robbery that occurred at a bus stop in the 300 block of Natural Bridges Drive.  Officers contacted the victim (21 year old female UCSC student) who reported being robbed by a person holding a firearm, thought to be a rifle.   The victim was waiting at the bus stop when the suspect appeared from the wooded area behind the bus stop.  The suspect pointed the rifle at the victim and demanded she empty her pockets and hand over the contents.

The victim reported being struck by the suspect in the back of the head with the rifle.  After being hit, the victim ran up Natural Bridges Drive where she flagged down a passing motorist.  While running away she turned back to see the suspect taking her backpack.  The motorist called 9-1-1. 

The victim took note of a white Chrysler PT Cruiser circling the area just prior to the attack.  Officers flooded the area and initiated Project R.O.P.E. for the white PT Cruiser.  The search included police K-9’s, and thermal imaging equipment.  The suspect was described as: 

• White or light skinned male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches with a medium build.
• Wearing jeans, grey hoodie
• Red bandana in a triangle covering the suspect’s face 
• The suspect was further described as having a gruff voice and several days beard growth

The victim was transported to Dominican Hospital for treatment of her head injury.  At approximately 10:30 PM, officers were called back out to Dominican Hospital when doctors discovered the victim had actually sustained a gunshot wound to the head.  The bullet was discovered lodged in the victim’s skull without penetrating the secondary layer.  The bullet was successfully removed by neurosurgeons.  The victim is expected to make a full recovery and is in stable condition.  

Detectives were called out to the scene where an intensive search for evidence was conducted.  The search included a grid search of the wooded area, metal detectors and police K-9’s.  Detectives were back at the scene this morning looking for additional evidence.  They are also interviewing the victim to assess the feasibility of a suspect sketch.  If the victim is able to produce a useful sketch, I will update this release. 

The Santa Cruz Police Department is actively working with officials at UCSC in the course of this investigation to notify students of safety precautions and seek information.   

Anyone with any information is encouraged to call 9-1-1 or contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.  Anonymous tips can be left on our tip line or via out mobile iPhone and Droid app.