Marijuana smoke leads Santa Cruz police to suspects

Santa Cruz police busted three men on drug-related charges after hotel staff reported tons of marijuana smoke pouring from their non-smoking room.

Police said officers staked out the room Monday evening, and when the suspects returned, police moved in. They said the men ran to their fourth floor balcony and jumped onto the rooftop to escape, even with Cowell’s beach far below. During the attempted escape, the suspects reportedly dropped bags containing 17 pounds of marijuana. Also in the room, officers found more jars of marijuana and more than $1,700 in cash.

Police said once the suspects made it to their car, officers– who were hiding in the bushes – let loose a police canine to help with the arrests. Christopher Hudson ,20, of Aptos; Chance Martinez, 19, of Soquel, and Tyrelle Antwine, 18, of Capitola, were taken into custody. Hudson also was booked on an additional charge of violation of his probation.