A 54-year-old woman from Twentynine Palms was arrested on Monday after being found unlawfully residing in a vacant house and possession of suspected methamphetamine, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reports. The suspect, identified as Veronica Wade, was discovered after a property owner reported unauthorized electrical service at the 72000 block of Winters Road in an unincorporated area of Morongo Basin.
Deputies Nicholas Hospodar and Melissa Enciso were dispatched to the scene to investigate the complaint, leading to their unexpected encounter with Wade. Upon their arrival, they observed unmistakably that the home had been entered and occupied without permission. Wade also had an outstanding arrest warrant for trespassing, further compounding her legal troubles. Inside the premises, the deputies noticed drug paraphernalia and substances believed to be methamphetamine in plain sight.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Wade faced multiple charges which included burglary (PC 459), possession of a controlled substance (H&S 11377(a)), and theft of utilities (PC 498). Following these allegations, she was taken to the West Valley Detention Center for booking. The discovery of the pipes and suspected drugs provided clear grounds for her arrest on drug possession charges.
Efforts to provide assistance or potentially screen Wade for substance abuse treatment have not been disclosed by the authorities.
