Man Hiding After Pursuit Makes Fake 911 Call To Distract: Sheriff

FELTON, CA — A man was arrested Tuesday after calling 911 to falsely report an armed man was on the San Lorenzo Valley High School football field, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said. Cole Robert Mertes, 34, placed the call while hiding after a foot pursuit and investigators believe he meant to distract deputies, the sheriff's office said.

No such luck. Dispatch traced the call back to the home of Mertes's neighbor, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies said the phone number was associated with Mertes, as he had used it before, and found him in the neighbor's backyard.

Deputies first approached Mertes around 3:30 p.m. Monday at his home on Hillview Drive to arrest him on three outstanding warrants. He ran and deputies set up a perimeter, the sheriff's office said.

Mertes is facing seven charges, including making a false report, obstructing police, receiving stolen property, possessing paraphernalia and violating probation, jail records show. He remained in jail late Tuesday afternoon.