SANTA CRUZ POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HIT-AND-RUN INVOLVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S CADETS.    OFFICIALS SAY A WOMAN RETURNED TO HER CAR PARKED NEAR COWELL BEACH AROUND 3:30 PM AUGUST 4^TH TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGED.     THE PAINT TRANSFER ON THE CAR’S SIDE PANEL MATCHED THE COLOR OF THE VAN PARKED BESIDE IT.     OFFICERS FOUND THE VAN WAS REGISTERED TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.     THE VICTIM LATER REPORTED RECEIVING A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE IDENTIFYING HIMSELF AS A DEPUTY, SAYING HE LOANED TO VAN TO CADETS SO THAT THEY COULD ATTEND A DANCE IN SANTA CRUZ.     THE CASE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.