Stolen vehicle recovered; firearm and ammo seized
Two people were arrested Sunday morning after police recovered a stolen vehicle and seized an illegally modified firearm and ammunition, an El Centro Police Department news release stated.
At 11:50 a.m., ECPD officers patrolling the 400 block of Wake Avenue located a Pontiac Grand Am that was reported stolen from the 1600 block of Barbara Worth Drive in El Centro approximately 9 a.m. Sunday. Officers detained two individuals, Roberto Avila, 30, and Alexis Flores, 23, both of El Centro.
Avila and Flores reportedly were leaving a local motel room, and carrying numerous bags of property.
Officers detained Avila and Flores to investigate their potential involvement with the stolen vehicle, the release stated.
As this was occurring, motel staff approached officers and notified them of a military-type ordinance in the motel room.
Officers evacuated the immediate area, and contacted the El Centro Fire Department and Imperial County Bomb Squad, which responded to assist.
Once the ordinance was deemed safe by the bomb squad, officers conducted a probation compliance check of Avila’s property and the associated motel room.
Officers found the keys to the stolen vehicle, stolen checks and other miscellaneous items.
A search of Flores’ person and property led to the discovery of methamphetamine, the release said.
Officers reportedly searched the stolen Pontiac and found an illegally modified shotgun and ammunition.
Flores was arrested and issued a citation for possession of methamphetamine and a stolen vehicle. Avila was arrested and booked at the county jail for being felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen checks and possession of a stolen vehicle.
“Officers are actively investigating the origin of the recovered ordinance,” the release said.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to call ECPD Detective Adrian Chilpa at (760) 335-4662 or the ECPD Detective Bureau at (760) 337-4502.