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.