3 face drug-related, other charges after stop in car reported stolen

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Three people were arrested after officers pulled over a vehicle reported stolen in Eloy and found drug paraphernalia on Saturday.  

Marcos A. Mendoza was booked into Pinal County Jail on suspicion of theft of means of transportation, unlawful use of means of transportation, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license. He also was found to have two probation violation warrants, a third-degree burglary warrant and a theft of means of transportation warrant. 

Elias J. Ibanez and Toyna K. Davis also were booked into jail on suspicion of unlawful use of transportation and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

At 10:43 p.m. on March 11, Maricopa police stopped a sedan near North John Wayne Parkway and West Smith-Enke Road after they discovered it had been reported stolen. Mendoza was in the driver’s seat.  

According to a probable-cause statement, when asked about the vehicle, Mendoza told officers it belonged to a friend who he used to live with, and that he had permission to use the vehicle for transportation to work. He stated the assumed that permission had ended approximately 72 hours before the time officers stopped him. 

Ibanez gave officers permission to remove his wallet to identify him. They discovered a small Ziplock baggie containing residue of what was later confirmed to be methamphetamine. 

When questioned about the baggie, Ibanez said he forgot it was there and that it was from the week prior. 

The passenger in the back seat, Davis, told police she was picked up at a gas station by Mendoza, and he was going to give her a ride to Mesa. 

A glass pipe with a bulbous end, commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, was discovered in the vehicle’s center console. None of the three claimed ownership of the pipe. Because it was accessible to them all, they all were charged on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia.