Santa Cruz: Shooting investigation leads to guns, drug operation and 36K

An attempted homicide investigation led the Santa Cruz Police Department to a drug dealing operation.

Last week, SCPD and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) served a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Kennan Street. Officers found $36,500 cash, 20 grams of methamphetamine, 1 pound of cocaine, 14 ounces of crack cocaine, 5 pounds of marijuana, firearms, and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

Santa Cruz Police arrested 27-year-old Deshawn Hatfield and 30-year-old Terrance Tolliver of Santa Cruz.

According to police, the initial investigation occurred on July 16, around 2:00 a.m. when an attempted homicide occurred in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue. A 33-year-old man was shot once in the neck and was flown to an out-of-county trauma center. Police said the victim has since recovered. Hatfield and Tolliver were identified as persons of interest, but hadn’t been located.

On July 31, around 1:00 a.m., Hatfield and Tolliver were spotted and arrested in the 200 block of Front Street.
Hatfield was arrested for possession for sales of crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Tolliver was arrested for possession of a loaded stolen firearm and probation violation.

Detectives interviewed both suspects regarding the July 16 shooting and arrested Hatfield for being the shooter in the attempted homicide. Tolliver was released pending further investigation.

On August 2, investigators served a search warrant on the 100 block of Kennan Street in Santa Cruz. Officers recovered evidence in the attempted homicide and illegal drug manufacturing and sales located inside the home.

Officers seized the following evidence:
Loaded Sawed off .22 rifle
Loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm
Homemade shotgun
Various rounds of Ammunition
Extended magazine for semi-automatic firearm
Stun gun
Money counter
$36,500 US Currency
20 grams of methamphetamine
1 pound of cocaine
14 ounces of crack cocaine
Approximately 5 pounds of marijuana

“I cannot express how grateful I am to my officers who made the arrests possible. Because of their efforts, the suspect involved in the attempted homicide is now in custody. It was the great teamwork and effort of our detectives and Neighborhood Enforcement Team who pieced together facts and circumstances leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspect which then also allowed us to shut down a drug operation.” said Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills.