Man arrested in Santa Cruz with beer keg, harmonica, wet suit, hallucinogenic mushrooms

Sentinel Staff Report
Article Launched: 10/29/2008 10:12:08 AM PDT

SANTA CRUZ - A transient claiming to be a covert military operative from Australia was arrested Monday on the Westside because he was drinking from a full-size beer keg and trying to sell the booze to passersby, police reported.

Marshall Cartwright, 33, was sitting on the ground drinking from the partially full keg when officers went to the Bethany Greenbelt Park, near Delaware Avenue and Bethany Curve, around 11:45 a.m. Monday, police said.

Someone had called 911 after reportedly seeing Cartwright drinking beer from a Mason jar and urinating in the bushes, according to police Capt. Steve Clark. He had a second Mason jar he used to sell the beer, which he had purchased along with a tap at a Pacific Avenue liquor store.

Cartwright got hostile when officers tried to interview him and told them he was a military operative, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in public.

Police said they searched his belongings and found about 20 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and a Camelbak bladder with more beer in it. He also had a harmonica and a wetsuit with him, both of which police suspect were stolen.

Cartwright was booked into County Jail on the public intoxication charge and also on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, police reported.

There is no doubt in my mind that this guy was a Aussie Secret Operative or Wood2ooth, I haven't heard from him in a couple days. Though I would like to know if it was a keg of Foster's - that would seal it for me. This guy knows how to blend in and he is prepared - a keg and a Camelbak full of beer - that goes along with the old Navy SEAL motto "one is none, two is one". Honestly, he has all you need to survive in Santa Cruz - a wetsuit, some 'shrooms, a harmonica, beer and a business model. I just don't know how they found this guy - I mean it is Santa Cruz for the love of God - everyone is running around in a wetsuit, drunk, high and blowin' a harmonica - at least I hope so, if not I need to change my career plans.