Paso Robles police arrest 7 people after vehicle search allegedly turns up drugs, guns
The Paso Robles Police Department arrested seven people for drug-related charges Wednesday after methamphetamine, heroin and guns were allegedly found in a parked vehicle.
A Paso Robles police sergeant was patrolling the 500 block of Laurelwood Drive in Paso Robles when the sergeant saw a man sitting in his vehicle in front of a house that officers had previously interacted with several times, according to a Facebook post by the police department.
The sergeant reportedly recognized the passenger of the vehicle, a woman who was on probation. The sergeant approached the vehicle and saw a pistol on the floorboard of the car, police said.
According to police, Robert Montijo and Stephanie Dukes were removed from the vehicle and a second loaded pistol, an unserialized Glock, was found on the driver’s seat.
As police searched the vehicle, Edward Dowless, who is also on probation, came out of the house, police said. Four others followed Dowless after a police K9 began barking, according to police.
Officers allegedly found $1,800 cash, 109 grams of meth, 14 grams of heroin and 113 Xanax bars, as well as a police scanner, drug paraphernalia and scales in the vehicle. Police said more drug paraphernalia was found inside the house.
Montijo was arrested on suspicion of felony charges related to drug sales and possession of a loaded gun in public and while in possession of controlled substances, police said.
Montijo was being held Thursday at San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to booking logs. No court date has been set, booking logs show.
Police said Dowless was arrested on suspicion of maintaining a drug house and being under the influence. His court date has been set for Oct. 29, according to booking logs.
Four people — Stephanie Dukes, Sarah Dukes, Jacob Hamby and David Merino — were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence, police said.
Richard Bales was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, according to police.
