Thursday, Feb. 07, 2013

Police catch lucky break

4 arrests made, 3 in recovery of SUV

The arrest of a man wanted on a felony warrant also led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and three other arrests Monday.

Gang Detectives Eduardo Solis and Jake Bento observed Noe Roman, 19, of Los Banos, in the 1500 block of Canal Farm Lane at 4:29 p.m. Police said Roman, who is wanted on a drug warrant, was standing next to a silver Saturn SUV with several occupants.

Detectives approached Roman and placed him under arrest for the drug warrant. A records check showed that the vehicle was reported stolen on Sunday in Oakhurst, police said.

The SUV's occupants, Ruben Jimenez, 31, Erika Najera, 28 and Emil Alarcon, 22, all from the Dos Palos area, were placed under arrest on suspicion of vehicle theft. Police said drug paraphernalia and a small amount of methamphetamine were located in Jimenez's possession.

Jimenez was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and for an outstanding drug warrant.

Roman is in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility pending $20,000 bail. Jimenez and Najera are also in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility.

Jiminez is being held pending $152,000 bail. Najera's bail is $43,000. She was also arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Alarcon has posted $45,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Merced County Superior Court.