After receiving complaints from neighbors, deputies from the Wildomar Police Department checked out a vacant home in the city Thursday evening and arrested six people there on suspicion of various crimes, including drugs.
The arrests took place in the 35000 block of Portola Place at approximately 5:30 p.m., according to a report from Sgt. David Cardoza.
Residents in the neighborhood complained about squatters and criminal activity there, the sergeant explained.
“Officers subsequently made contact with several people inside the home, and through their investigation determined the initial homeowner had lost the residence through foreclosure, and none of the current occupants had a legal right to be on the property,” Cardoza wrote in his report.
Deputies and a police dog searched the area, and according to the sergeant methamphetamine, digital scales, mail, and other personal and financial documents that belonged to other people were found.
One of the personal documents found at the residence belonged to the victim of a vehicle theft out of the city of Wildomar, Cardoza reported.
The abandoned home has now been secured by city workers to keep other squatters from gaining access to the property, the sergeant reported.
According to the Cardoza’s report, the following arrests were made:
- Lisa Pack, 29, a transient, was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of stolen property.
- Adrian Reese, 24, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and violation of probation.
- Peter Benavidez, 30, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion of violation of parole and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
- Erik Steppe, 34, of San Jacinto was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and violation of probation.
- Eric Pool, 29, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
- Steven Bruce, 28, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion being under the influence of a controlled substance.
