Hollister
– The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office arrested four area
residents on suspicion of injecting methamphetamine and possession
of stolen property Monday night in a case that law enforcement
officials say illustrates the connection between drug addiction and
theft.
Hollister – The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office arrested four area residents on suspicion of injecting methamphetamine and possession of stolen property Monday night in a case that law enforcement officials say illustrates the connection between drug addiction and theft.
George Robert Mendoza, 33, of Tres Pinos, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
James Vincent Costanza, 40, of Gilroy, was arrested on suspicion of several felony drug charges, possession of a hypodermic syringe, a misdemeanor, and falsely representing himself to a peace officer, a misdemeanor.
Brittany Janelle Broadstreet, 20, of Hollister, was arrested on suspicion of felony drug possession and stolen property possession.
Judy Valle, 46, of Gilroy, was arrested on suspicion of several felony drug charges.
San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Lei was on patrol westbound on San Justo Road when he observed a car with its headlights off on Prescott Road, according to deputies. When Lei pulled the car over, he found the driver, Mendoza, to be on probation, and Costanza, a passenger, to have three outstanding felony arrest warrants, according to deputies.
After determining the suspects were under the influence of a controlled substance, Lei and other deputies searched the vehicle, according to deputies. Lei found numerous empty and loaded syringes, a bong and a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine, spoons with methamphetamine residue, and a half-gram of methamphetamine, according to deputies.
San Benito County Sheriff’s Lt. Roy Iler said injecting methamphetamine is usually a sign of an experienced methamphetamine addict.
“Hard-core addicts will usually inject,” Iler said. “The easiest way is to snort or smoke it.”
A search of the car’s trunk also revealed 10 broken pieces of aluminum irrigation pipes, according to deputies. Lei also found hacksaws and other tools inside the car. Iler said it is not uncommon for drug addicts to steal the pipes from farms or ranches to sell to recycling centers.
“It’s getting more common,” Iler said. “Anything to get a buck. These guys are doing anything to get money to buy drugs.”
Sheriff’s Det. Jeff Goodwin, who heads the San Benito County Rural Crime Task Force, is investigating where the pipes came from.
Valle, Broadstreet, Costanza and Mendoza are being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of bail.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
