An auto theft investigation by the California Highway Patrol Coastal Division led to the recovery Friday of 10 stolen vehicles, the seizure of a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and ammunition and the arrest of a convicted felon after a standoff of several hours, authorities said.
A search warrant was served at 7 a.m. Friday at a trailer at 5252 Branciforte Drive in Santa Cruz by the CHP Coastal Division warrant service team assisted by Santa Cruz and Watsonville police and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
The subject of the warrant, 44-year-old Ryan Michael Peterson, refused to comply and barricaded himself inside the trailer and the Santa Cruz police SWAT team was called.
After several hours of negotiation by phone, Peterson came out of the trailer and was taken into custody without incident.
A search of the trailer turned up a shotgun and ammunition, while 10 stolen vehicles were recovered around the property.
Peterson was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicles, violation of parole, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
