(09:49) SANTA CRUZ – Santa Cruz police have been seeing a rise in vehicle theft. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a 24% increase in auto thefts. In the past two months alone, over 70 vehicles have been reported stolen. In recent weeks, Santa Cruz police have arrested three people on suspicion of vehicle theft. 19-year-old Esteban Hernandez was apprehended on Wednesday after he was caught driving a stolen car on Ocean Street. Last week, officers arrested 30-year-old Jay June and 19-year-old Anthony Soza after they were found with a stolen SUV at the Safeway on Morrissey. A majority of the stolen vehicles are Hondas or mid-sized coupes and sedans. Car owners are being encouraged to install an anti-theft device in their vehicle to discourage or slow down thieves. (S.G.)
