Hemet Resident Arrested By Murrieta PD For Driving a Vehicle Stolen From Perris
Written by Trevor Montgomery
On November 4, A Hemet resident was arrested for a variety of felony charges after being caught driving a vehicle stolen from Perris.
At 2:24 a.m. Murrieta Police Officers conducted an enforcement stop on a 1994 Honda Civic in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Kalmia Street in the city of Murrieta. The vehicle’s driver was not able to provide the officers with a driver’s license.
A search of the driver revealed he was in possession of narcotics paraphernalia and methamphetamine. He was arrested and identified through a criminal history check as Edwin Gonzalez, a 24-year-old resident of Hemet.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed Mr. Gonzalez was operating the vehicle using a “shaved” key. Officers, believing the vehicle was likely stolen, requested the Riverside County Sheriff contact the vehicle’s registered owner in Perris.
The registered owner of the vehicle confirmed the Honda had been stolen that evening while she was sleeping.
Two passengers who were also in the vehicle, a male adult and female adult were questioned and released at the scene. The vehicle was returned to the registered owner and Gonzalez was booked at the Southwest Detention Center for several charges, including auto theft, possession of methamhetamine, possession of burglary tools and PRCS Violation.
In a press release from the Murrieta Police Department, Lieutenant Tony Conrad wrote, “It should be noted, Mr. Gonzalez is an AB109 probationer. AB109, also known as Post Release Community Supervision, was signed into law in November 2011. It allows thousands of less serious offenders to remain out of custody and on probation, while they would have previously been eligible for prison.”
Continuing, Lt. Conrad wrote, “This arrest highlights the uptick in vehicle thefts and opportunity related crime currently being felt by our community. It is clear these thefts are being influenced by a combination of AB109 and Proposition 47. Prop 47 – Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, was passed into law 1 year ago yesterday by California voters. It mandates drug possession and selected property crimes be charged as misdemeanors.”
Lt. Conrad concluding by writing, “The Murrieta Police Department encourages our community, which we proudly serve, to be vigilant with preventing opportunity related crimes. Immediately report criminal behavior and consider working with the Police Department’s “Protect R Neighbor” and “Neighborhood Watch” programs. Information on these programs can be found on the police department’s web page.”
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