Man high on LSD assaults officer in Scotts Valley, CHP says

Law enforcement agencies in Santa Cruz County report an officer was assaulted early Monday morning during an encounter with a violent suspect who was high on LSD.

According to California Highway Patrol, Marko Manojlovic, 29, drove through a construction zone on the northbound side of Highway 17 just south of Sugarloaf Rd. Officers said Manojlovic crashed into temporary metal signs and dragged cones before he was stopped.

CHP said Manojlovic stopped hear Laurel Rd. after driving into a metal fence and then tried to get away. Officers chased Manojlovic and were able to catch up to him, but during his arrest he’s accused of resisting and assaulting officers.

“When our officer contacted that suspect he became aggressive and then kicked our CHP Officer,” said CHP Public Information Officer Trista Blake. “He did take off on foot after that and our CHP officers pursued and were able to take him into custody after that.”

Manojlovic was taken to the hospital where it was determined he was high on LSD during the incident. Officers said being high on the drug contributed to his violent behavior.

“Unfortunately we’re hearing a lot more about it, especially with some of the cases in the county,” said Blake. “Unfortunately we don’t have any way to know if those cases are at all related or if it’s the same batch of LSD.”

Drug and alcohol counselors said the majority of LSD is manufactured in San Francisco, making it very accessible to teens and young adults on the Central Coast.

“What the FDA is saying is that there is a rise in young people using LSD because its cheap, the effects are long,” said Camm Nelsen with Janus of Santa Cruz. “It can last up to 12 hours a day.”

Last month the sheriff’s office said 15-year old Luke Smith had taken LSD, then stabbed his father and uncle. An officer shot and killed the teenager after Smith lunged at a canine handler with a knife.

Counselors said the drug can cause delusions and hallucinations, but its effects are inconsistent. Not everyone has the same experience and not everyone who takes it resorts or to violence.

“People who use LSD and go into the psychosis that can cause violent behavior have prior history of mental illness,” said Nelsen. “Schizophrenia, depression which can lead to homicidal ideation, suicidal ideation.”

The officer was treated at the hospital minor injuries and released.

Multiple agencies responded to the incident including Scotts Valley Police and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.