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WATSONVILLE -- Authorities have linked a 33-year-old Watsonville man to a .357-caliber revolver, ammunition and a bottle of tequila stolen in Aptos along with a spate of other thefts.
Joshua James Gilchrist, a state prison parolee and self-described laborer, also is accused of several vehicle thefts and commercial burglaries in the past few weeks, said Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputy April Skalland.
Gilchrist remained in County Jail on Thursday in lieu of $75,000 bail, according to jail records.
"It's good he's off the street because it seems he's causing Santa Cruz and Monterey counties a lot of headaches," Skalland said.
The night of Feb. 9, a car was broken into that contained a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, a leather jacket, bullets and tequila near Huntington Drive and Monroe Avenue in Aptos, Skalland said. The break-in wasn't reported until the next day.
About 2:15 a.m. Feb. 10, Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of suspicious activity on the 100 block of Robin Meadow Lane outside Watsonville. They found Gilchrist near a white GMC Sierra pickup with fresh damage to a taillight, Skalland said.
A deputy spotted Gilchrist cutting across a field, caught up with him and questioned him about the pickup.
He said he didn't know anything about it, and deputies searched him but found nothing. He was released.
Later that day, the pickup was reported stolen, Skalland
On Feb. 12, Monterey County deputies were dispatched to an auto body shop in Castroville because someone reported gunshots fired.
Deputies again spotted Gilchrist and found the Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition in his possession. He was arrested on suspicion of a parole violation and jailed in Monterey County. He was released on Feb. 20.
On Feb. 23, Watsonville police spotted Gilchrist in Watsonville and searched him because of his parole terms. They found a shaved key -- used for stealing cars -- and burglary tools, Skalland said.
Gilchrist again was arrested on suspicion of a parole violation, taken to Santa Cruz County Jail and later released.
On March 8, deputies received a tip there was stolen property at Gilchrist's home near Wheelock Road and Gilchrist Lane outside Watsonville.
Authorities found two iPhones, Ralph Lauren perfume, a wallet and bicycle shocks -- all believed to be stolen, Skalland said. They also found a ski mask and burglary tools, she said.
Gilchrist was arrested Sunday at his home on suspicion of six vehicle burglaries, two commercial burglaries, possession of stolen property and theft with prior convictions.
"It seems he will steal anything not nailed down to the ground," Skalland said.
Gilchrist is due in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on March 22.
Follow Sentinel reporter Stephen Baxter on Twitter at Twitter.com/sbaxter_sc
