GREEN ACRES: 15 weapons, 2 stolen vehicles, drug paraphernalia uncovered during warrant service
GREEN ACRES – Members of the joint Riverside Auto Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID) task force arrested a man Wednesday afternoon after they uncovered two stolen vehicles, more than a dozen firearms, drug paraphernalia, and a chop shop at his residence in the 33000 block of Keith Avenue in Green Acres Wednesday, Feb. 15. Green Acres is an unincorporated community west of Hemet and north of Winchester.
Michael Lopez was arrested after he was found to be in possession of weapons, stolen vehicles, and drug paraphernalia.
RAID task force members contacted 51-year-old Michael Christopher Lopez in the area of Calvert and Keith Avenues in the unincorporated community of Green Acres, about 1 pm, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Sean Brown.
When RAID members contacted Lopez they determined he was under the influence of methamphetamine and in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun, Brown explained.
“RAID is a multi-agency task force comprised of law enforcement personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Riverside Police Department, Murrieta Police Department, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Department of Insurance,” Brown explained. “RAID’s mission is to investigate, arrest, and prosecute criminals responsible for Riverside County vehicle theft.”
Deputies arrested Lopez and served a search warrant at his Keith Avenue residence.
While serving the search warrant, RAID members located and recovered two stolen vehicles at Lopez’ home. Based on recovered evidence, officials determined Lopez was operating a chop shop at his residence. During the service of the search warrant, RAID members also seized 14 additional firearms and drug paraphernalia at Lopez’ home.
Lopez was later booked into jail for five felony and three misdemeanor charges, including vehicle theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition while under the influence of narcotics, and operating a chop shop.
RAID task force members seized 15 weapons during the service of a search warrant at Lopez’ residence.
An online jail records search revealed Lopez was released the day after his arrest after posting $25,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for April 12.
Anyone with information related to this investigation or any vehicle theft can report anonymously to RAID members at (951) 955-2770. Callers can refer to incident file number ZE170460003 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
This male lives near where my son hung out. Calvert St. I have mentioned that you could find stolen cars, drugs, and other stolen items. He may have wised up, no recent info.