1 Bradenton Man Charged With Selling Fake Cruise Packages

Bradenton Police have made an arrest in the case of two men accused of selling fraudulent cruise packages to unsuspecting victims and are searching for the other suspect, who may have fled the state, officials said Tuesday.

Detectives located and arrested Todd Kelley, 22, of Bradenton, Monday afternoon in the 1500 block of 17th Street West, according to a media release.

Kelley confessed to four felony counts of engaging in a scheme to defraud and obtain property (less than $20,000), according to Bradenton Police spokesperson Capt. Warren T. Merriman III.

There are active arrest warrants for Dale Lucas, 25, also of Bradenton, who may have fled the state, Merriman said.

Police said last week the two men had been passing themselves off as representatives of "a well known Internet site" and claiming they are authorized to sell cruise packages or travel related services.

Lucas and Kelley have been targeting locations along Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road in Bradenton, Merriman said. The two men come in dressed as collared shirts and khaki pants or shorts, presenting travel packages and laminated marketing materials. They allegedly collect payment for the travel package and then flee the scene, according to police.

Anyone who comes into contact with Lucas or who believes they have been a victim is asked to contact Detective Troy Masterson at 941-932-9300, ext. 373.

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