Ben Lomond man accused of attempted murder, rape pleads not guilty

UPDATE 8/7/2017 5:00 p.m. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office accused 28-year-old Austin Lee Combs of shooting a man in the face, dousing a woman in chemicals and rape.

Combs plead not guilty to 20 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge in court Monday.

Combs went on the run for two weeks after allegedly attempting to commit murder on July 20.

Authorities reportedly caught and arrested Combs on Aug. 3.

Combs is due back in court for the Preliminary Hearing on Sept. 25.

PREVIOUS STORY: The suspect who allegedly shot a man in the face in Ben Lomond a couple of weeks ago has been arrested.

28-year-old Austin Combs of Boulder Creek was arrested by members of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office around 10 a.m. Thursday.

The victim was shot in the face on July 20 but suffered non life threatening injuries.

Combs is in custody for attempted murder.

PREVIOUS STORY:

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a gunman in the Ben Lomond area.

The suspect, 28-year-old Austin Combs allegedly shot a man in the face Thursday morning around 5:45 a.m. in the 8400 block of Hihn Road in Ben Lomond.

The sheriff’s office said the victim suffered non life threatening injuries.

Sergeant Chris Clark said, ” Although the case is still under investigation, we don’t believe this to be a random act.”

The sheriff’s office said the weapon in this case is still missing and advise the public not to personally confront Combs.

Anyone with information on the gunmans whereabouts is encouraged to call Dispatch at 831-471-1121.