I bet my rear derailleur from 2010 is there, too

Image by Hildgrim

Santa Cruz County finds homeless encampment ground zero for stolen e-bikes. Santa Cruz Sentinel and KSBW report.

Santa Cruz Sentinel:

More than $30,000 worth of high-end electric bicycles were discovered by law enforcement this week at an illegal encampment near Arana Gulch in Live Oak. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is in the process of matching the items, believed to be stolen, with their rightful owners. 

Read the whole thing here.

KSBW:

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office says that over $32,000 worth of stolen bicycles and tools were recovered at a homeless encampment.

On Tuesday, deputies searched the Arana Gulch area in Live Oak after being informed by community members about a potential crime.

Go Deeper:

• First Los Angeles, now Berkeley: cities get sued over homeless encampments
• SF’s Lurie shows SJ how to move fast—and big—on homelessness (1/3)
• Case study: How Long Beach leads the way on homeless encampment resolution

During the search of the area, deputies found more than $30,000 in high-end bikes and $2,000 in tools, believed to be stolen.

As they continued through the habitat area, where camping is illegal, deputies spotted drug paraphernalia near a tent. A suspect, Joshua Morris, ran but was detained after a short chase, deputies said in a social media post.

Morris was found with over 100 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, cash, and police scanners, according to deputies.

Multiple mountain bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and dozens of tools were also discovered in the area. Morris claimed the items weren't his.

Morris was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on multiple felony charges.

"Several stolen items have already been matched to their rightful owners, but we are still seeking additional victims to return the rest," deputies said.

Read the whole thing here.

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