Stolen Los Gatos Civic Recovered in Santa Cruz; Teen Driver Suspected in Car Break-Ins, Identity Thefts

A teenager, behind the wheel of a Honda Civic stolen from Los Gatos, was arrested Tuesday in Santa Cruz and is suspected in vehicle burglaries and identity thefts of more than 30 victims in two counties, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

A CHP officer answered a call at 5:23 p.m. Tuesday about a suspicious vehicle near 41st Avenue and East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz and located a Honda Civic reported stolen from Los Gatos, the CHP reported. 

Taylor Robert Meyer, 18, of the Ben Lomond area in Santa Cruz County, was found driving the Honda and the officer took him into custody, the CHP said.

While searching the Honda, the officer recovered a quantity of methamphetamine and many suspected stolen items, such as a gun and evidence of identity theft.

The officer arrested Meyer on suspicion of auto theft, identity theft, possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of stolen property and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Meyer was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail in Santa Cruz where his bail was placed at $10,000. 

The CHP requested assistance from the Santa Cruz Auto Theft Reduction Enforcement Team and the county's Anti-Crime Team for a probation check of Meyer's home in Ben Lomond. 

After the search was completed, investigators identified more than 30 people in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties who were victims of vehicle burglaries and identity theft, according to the CHP. 

CHP investigators are attempting to locate victims directly and from reviewing theft reports from various law enforcement agencies.