Orange County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Laguna Hills, according to the Laguna Hills Police Services.
During the investigation, the deputies located illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia, as well as stolen merchandise with security tags still attached, totaling over $1,000 in value.
Three subjects were arrested in connection with the investigation. Two of the individuals also had outstanding warrants.
The suspects could face the following penalties under California law:
- Possession of controlled substances (Health & Safety Code § 11350 or § 11377)
- Misdemeanor or felony depending on the substance and prior record
- Penalty: up to 1 year in county jail (misdemeanor) or 16 months to 3 years (felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Health & Safety Code § 11364)
- Misdemeanor offense
- Penalty: up to 6 months in county jail and/or fines
- Receiving stolen property (Penal Code § 496)
- Applies if suspects knowingly possessed stolen merchandise
- Felony or misdemeanor depending on value and prior record
- Penalty: up to 3 years in county jail
- Petty theft or grand theft (Penal Code § 484/487)
- If merchandise value exceeds $950, grand theft may apply
- Penalty: up to 3 years in county jail (felony) or 6 months (misdemeanor)
- Outstanding warrants
- Subjects with active warrants may face additional jail time or penalties based on the nature of those warrants
- Court may deny bail or impose stricter conditions
- Probation or parole violations
- If any suspect is on probation or parole, new charges may trigger revocation