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Santa Cruz Gang Task Force Arrests Man Who Fled During Probation Check

SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- A man was arrested after attempting to flee from officers during a probation compliance check Friday night in Las Lomas, a Santa Cruz sheriff's sergeant said.

Santa Cruz County sheriff's Gang Task Force went to a home on Harrington Road in Las Lomas to conduct a probation compliance check of Thomas Koch, 24, at about 11 p.m., Sgt. Stefan Fish said.

When Koch saw the task force members, he fled his home, discarding a 9mm handgun, Fish said.

Fish said the task force spotted drugs at the home as well.

An investigation determined that Koch was an active member of a street gang, Fish said.

He was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm, drug possession and for participation in a street gang.

The confiscated gun is the 13th seized by the task force this year, Fish said.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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