Man arrested for allegedly stealing car, drug possession

A jobless man was arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing a car from a residence in San Jose, possession of methamphetamine or “ice,” and owning a marijuana plantation.

Joshua James Torres Cruz, 24, was arrested for theft of vehicle, and possession of controlled substance.

At a hearing yesterday, Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio imposed a $7,500 cash bail and set the preliminary hearing for May 24 at 1:30pm.

Assistant public defender Matthew Meyer was appointed as counsel for Cruz. Assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas appeared for the government.

Police traffic investigator Norris Kwon stated in his report that on Saturday morning, a man called the Department of Public Safety that his gray 1992 Toyota Tercel two-door sedan with license plate ADU-972 was stolen from his residence in San Jose.

Kwon said a police officer responded and met with the victim.

On Monday at 7:13am, a man called DPS and reported that a stolen car was located at his residence and operated by his nephew, Cruz.

A police officer, who was immediately dispatched to the area, observed Cruz sleeping on the driver’s seat of a black Toyota Tercel two-door sedan with license plate ACC-427.

The report did not indicate the location of the house.

The officer also observed a glass pipe with burnt residue and a clear zip lock bag containing clear substance on the right front passenger side seat.

The officer got a “read out” on the license plate attached to the car, ACC-427, which was registered to a white 1998 Kia Sportage 5-door wagon. The license plate ACC-427, which was attached to the rear bumper, did not match the black Toyota Tercel.

Kwon said during his interview Cruz stated that he found the stolen vehicle at the driveway and drove the car.

Kwon said he found a bundle of keys on the ignition and asked Cruz who owned the keys.

Kwon said Cruz admitted he owns the keys.

Kwon said he called DPS Central and verified the Vehicle Identification Number found on the stolen vehicle’s body which matched the reported stolen vehicle bearing license plate ADU-972.

Kwon said with the consent of the landlord, he looked around the premises and found a marijuana plantation with 4-foot tall plants next to a white Federal Emergency Management Agency-issued tent, where Cruz normally sleeps.

DPS crime scene technicians seized the marijuana plants as evidence. Cruz was then arrested.

Cruz’s uncle told police that the defendant resides at his land on a FEMA-issued tent. The uncle also stated that Cruz does not own a car.

Kwon said during his interview with Cruz at the Department of Corrections, the suspect admitted to being in possession of the stolen car and drove the vehicle around for the past two days. Cruz further admitted to owning the marijuana plantation found next to his FEMA-issued tent.

Kwon said during his field test on the content of the clear zip lock bags found on the right passenger seat of the stolen car, it yielded presumptive positive for “ice.”