Manhunt still underway after crime spree across Santa Cruz Mountains

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ByMatt Keller KGO logo
Friday, January 27, 2017
Manhunt still underway after crime spree across Santa Cruz Mountains
A manhunt is still underway Friday after a crime spree across the Santa Cruz Mountains.

LOS GATOS, Calif. (KGO) -- A manhunt is still underway Friday after a crime spree across the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Police say the man they're after first robbed a bank in Scotts Valley then broke into a home and stole a van in Redwood Estates. He later ditched that vehicle in Aldercroft Heights, launching the search.

Scotts Valley police gave an update Friday morning. "Currently, we're still following up on leads. We're looking around the area for some more footage to see if we can help try to identify. We are working with the FBI, who handles all bank robberies," Scotts Valley Police Dept. Lt. John Wilson said.

RELATED: Santa Clara officials say possible robbery suspect threatened woman with knife, stole van

It was a frightening experience at Lexington Elementary School. They were on lockdown Thursday after the bank robbery suspect was seen running away in the area.

Classes were canceled Friday. They're concerned about the students, teachers and staff's safety because the suspect is still on the loose and is considered armed and dangerous.

New video shows the area where he was last seen at around 2 a.m. Friday.

Sheriff's deputies believe the bank robbery suspect had broken into a home on Weaver Road near Soda Springs Road and took a woman's van at knifepoint.

RELATED: Sheriffs search for robbery suspect in Santa Cruz Mountains

The woman said she didn't want to talk about the incident. A neighbor who was stuck in traffic on Highway 17 for several hours during the manhunt said, "Crazy things happen and especially that it was a big problem with many hours getting home," neighbor Lowell Freudenberger said.

Law enforcement had their weapons out and were searching in the mountains after he stole the van. There didn't appear to be any law enforcement searching in the mountains Friday morning.

The sheriff's office has yet to give another update.