Riverside traffic stop yields meth, stolen ID’s

RIVERSIDE – An early morning traffic stop in Riverside in the area of Van Buren Boulevard and Plummer Road led to the arrest of two subjects for narcotics and identity theft related crimes. Riverside Police officers made the traffic stop June 30, at about 3:30 a.m., according to a police official.

Officers on routine patrol conducted a traffic enforcement stop after spotting a vehicle with no license plates. During the traffic stop, officers observed the driver appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine. Officers detained the driver and his passenger for further investigation.

During their investigation, officers determined the driver, identified as Thomas Leo Zon, 47, of Baldwin Park, was under the influence of a controlled substance. During a subsequent search, officers found that both Zon and his passenger, identified as Nikki Cristine Vega, 38, of La Puente, were in possession of methamphetamine.

“Vega was also found to be in possession of a large amount of items related to identity theft,” according to a press release from the department.

Based on their investigation, officers arrested Zon and Vega. They were both booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.

A jail record search revealed Zon was booked on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale, being a felon in possession of a dangerous drug, possession of stolen property, and petty theft with priors. All are felonies. Zon was also charged with a single misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled substance. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Vega was booked on suspicion of being in possession of more than 10 people’s personal identifications. She is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Both Zon and Vega are scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice July 5.

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