Law enforcement authorities in Rancho Cucamonga have made arrests following the discovery of a stolen vehicle and illegal substances. According to the SBSD Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, on the corner of Haven Ave and Foothill Blvd at 11:18 a.m. last Sunday, deputies located an occupied stolen car.
The vehicle's passenger, Hector Pelayo, 52, tried to discard a glass jar believed to be containing Phencyclidine, more commonly known as PCP. Pelayo was found to have a history of drug-related charges. The driver, Carlos Lopez, 41, alongside another passenger, Olga Rogelcruz, 31, were also taken into custody as all parties involved were residents of Los Angeles.
These arrests signify enforcement of the new Proposition 36, also known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” passed by California voters and implemented on December 18, 2024. The proposition modifies earlier laws that have contributed to increased rates of homelessness, drug addiction, and theft, by including revised Penal and Health and Safety Codes, as detailed by the SBSD Rancho Cucamonga Police Department. Deputy C. Morales mentions that these changes can result in enhanced sentencing and prevent citation release before court appearances.
Pelayo is now facing charges under HS 11395 - Possession of Narcotics/Paraphernalia with Two Prior Convictions and was booked at West Valley Detention Center. In a similar vein, Lopez and Rogelcruz were booked for PC 496D(A) - Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The public is urged to contribute any information they may have about the incident by contacting the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff's Station or through the We-Tip Hotline and website, maintaining their anonymity if they so choose.
