SCPD Officer on First Solo Patrol Shift Arrests Suspect Drug Dealer & Gets Meth Off The Street

New SPCD Officer took to the streets for the first time solo yesterday and made a solid drug arrest.

On Wednesday 1/31/18 at approximately 8:45 pm, SCPD Officer Boolootian conducted a traffic stop on the 100 block of Grant Street. During the stop, it was discovered that the driver Hugo Casteneda, 46 years old from Santa Cruz, had outstanding felony warrants.

Mr. Casteneda, on probation with search terms, possessed a bindle of methamphetamine, cash, Xanax pills, and assorted drug paraphernalia in his pockets. Officer Hansen deployed K9 Cash into the vehicle for a narcotics search. BINGO!

The subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in one bag of methamphetamine containing 2.14 ounces AND a second bag that had a total gross weight of 21.2 grams of methamphetamine. Over $2, 300 in cash and drug packaging materials was also recovered.

SCPD arrested Mr. Casteneda for possession of narcotic controlled substances, outstanding warrants, and driving with a suspended license.

Not bad for Officer Boolootian’s first solo patrol shift!
Great job SCPD Field Training Officers!
#K9CashSearch&Alert

Great Teamwork All The Way Around! Vehicle Stop Leads To Arrest & Drugs Off The Street

On Friday, 4/21/17 at 10:27 pm, an alert Santa Cruz Police Officer patrolling on the east side neighborhoods observed a white Dodge Ram van with a 2017 registration sticker loosely attached to the license plate. A routine check of the license showed the registration expired in 2012, even though it was displaying a tab for 2017. Also, the registration history indicated the van was marked non-operational since 2012.

The officer followed the van while Dispatch was confirming the vehicle’s expiration. The van made a sudden turn and slowed at an intersection; it was apparent the brake lights were not illuminating properly. The officer conducted a vehicle stop in the 800 block of Hanover.

 Bradley Kellman, 60 years old from Santa Cruz

The driver refused to identify himself or exit the van. He was uncooperative and stated he had a “right to travel.” The officer could see a large blade knife in the center console. While the officer was trying to calm him down, additional units responded and deployed spike strips in front of the tires of the van. Our K-9 Unit Officer recognized the suspect as Bradley Kellman, who has a history with local law enforcement. The Sergeant on duty was then able to talk the Mr. Kelleman into exiting the van.

Bradley Kellman, 60 years old, from Santa Cruz was on probation with active search terms for narcotics. He was driving while on a suspended license for DUI.

K-9 Luna conducted a narcotic search of the van and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

The subsequent search of the van resulted in:
$1,405.00 in cash
Packaging Material for drug sales
6.3 grams of Methamphetamine
Electronic Scale
Several knives
CS Tear Gas

Mr. Kellman was arrested for probation violations, driving under suspended license transporting, selling and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

Gun & Drugs Off The Street -SCPD Weekend Cases of Interest

ONE MORE GUN OFF THE STREET
SCPD Arrest Teen Gang Member with Loaded Handgun

A 16-year-old Santa Cruz gang member was arrested for possession of a concealed loaded firearm and probation violation. 

On March 11th about 10:00 pm, while on routine patrol , an SCPD officer observed the suspect juvenile male in the area of Foster Freeze on Laurel Street. The juvenile is a known gang member and is on probation The teen has had multiple contacts in the past with law enforcement.

When the officers approached, the suspect immediately turned away from the officers and reached for the waistband area of his pants. SCPD officers believed he had a weapon and placed the suspect in custody. A search of the juvenile recovered a loaded firearm found in the suspect’s waist area.

Officers arrested the 16-year-old juvenile from Santa Cruz and charged him with probation violations, possession of a loaded firearm in public, possession of a loaded, concealed firearm and participating in a criminal street gang.

24 Grams of Methamphetamine Off the Street

On 3/12/17 at approximately 11:11 am, SCPD Officers were patrolling the area of Canfield Ave and San Lorenzo investigating a suspicious tan-colored Toyota Camry without license plates.Officers located the car that matched the description driving through the area and followed it to the 600 block of Riverside Avenue.

During the stop, it was determined the driver Janina Miller-Morales, 27 years old from Davenport, and passenger Zenaido Gomez, 28 years old from Santa Cruz, had outstanding warrants.

 

Janina Miller-Morales, 27 years old from Davenport

 As Ms. Miller was exiting the car, she dropped a methamphetamine pipe on the driver side floorboard. The subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in ten bindles totaling 24 grams of methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia

SCPD officers cited Ms. Miller-Morales and passenger Mr. Gomez for outstanding warrants. Janina Miller-Morales was also arrested for transporting, selling and possession of narcotic controlled substances.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. -Report suspicious activity to 9-1-1, Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or send us a tip online at http://cityofsantacruz.com/departments/police/how-do-i/leave-a-crime-tip

SCPD remains dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

SCPD Proactive Policing and Shooting Investigation

SCPD Proactive Policing Gets 2 Suspects arrested, 9 grams of meth and $4,000 of drug money out of Harvey West Park.
On January 5, 2017 at 5:22 pm, an SCPD Officer was  on active patrol and spotted a known drug dealer in the area of Harvey West and Dubois. The Officer witnessed the suspects, Calvin Carlson and his associate Suzanne Winchel, parked in a car and appeared to be engaged in narcotic activity. Groups of people came up to the vehicle for short periods of time and then would walk away. 

Calvin Carlson 52 years old from Santa Cruz
The Officer pulled up behind the suspect’s car and contacted Carlson and Winchel. While the Officer was speaking with the suspects, a group of people who had been speaking to Carlson tried to interfere and prevent the officer from searching the vehicle. Additional officers were called for backup and the group of transients dispersed.

Suzanne Winchel 40 years old from Santa Cruz 
Calvin Carlson 52 years old and Suzanne Winchel 40 years old are both from Santa Cruz. The suspects were recognizable to the Officer because of their long criminal history and contacts with the PD. The Officer also confirmed through the Santa Cruz County Court website that Mr. Carlson was recently out on bail and had search terms for controlled substances, paraphernalia and drug sales.

A search of the suspect’s car and possessions produced 9 grams of meth and $4,000 in cash.

Calvin Carlson and Suzanne Winchel were arrested for possession of controlled substance for sale.
SCPD is working collaboratively with neighborhood groups such as; the Harvey West Business Association, Homeless Service Center, and Parks and Recreation, in order to address neighborhood concerns and safety issues within the Harvey West area.

Shooting Investigation
On Saturday January 7, 2017 at 11:37 am, SCPD Officers responded to reports of several shots fired near the 1300 block of Soquel Avenue. Santa Cruz Police Officers were patrolling the area and quickly identified that the gunfire came from Soquel Avenue and Darwin Street. When Officers arrived at the scene they located several shell casings. Officers canvassed the immediate area and surrounding blocks and did not find where the rounds struck. Local hospitals were contacted and none of them reported any victims with gunshot wounds.

Currently, there is no information regarding suspects on the shooting. Detectives are continuing to follow up leads and looking for video surveillance. The police department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact investigators 831- 420-5820.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood.
SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.