Parolee Caught with Stolen Vehicle in Wildomar

A parolee suspected of having methamphetamine was arrested in Wildomar when the full-size pickup truck he occupied was reported stolen out of Kern County, a sheriff's sergeant said Sunday.

A sheriff's deputy on patrol drove by a shopping center in the 19900 block of Grand Avenue on Saturday afternoon and saw a man sitting in a Chevrolet Silverado, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. David Cardoza. The driver, Andre Eric Rivera, 54, of Bakersfield, stepped out of the truck and walked away when he saw the deputy, Cardoza said.

A license plate check revealed the pickup truck was reported stolen out of Delano in October, which prompted the deputy to call for back-up; and Rivera was arrested, according to Cardoza.

Deputies used a trained dog during a search of the stolen vehicle and found methamphetamine, blank checks and credit cards belonging to other people, and multiple prescription pills, Cardoza said. Rivera was arrested for suspicion of vehicle theft, violating his parole and other crimes, the sergeant said.

— City News Service