3 Arrested When Meth Found in Home of Probationer

A convicted felon and two cronies were taken into custody in Murrieta when methamphetamine, pipes to smoke it and stolen and forged checks were allegedly found.

The arrests took place Monday when Murrieta police went to conduct a probation compliance check on 27-year-old Gabriel Romero in the 28000 block of Hancock Avenue, according to Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Froboese.

Romero has had run-ins with Murrieta police before, and was serving probation on drug-related charges.

"Romero had received a sentence of house arrest with an ankle bracelet and probation with search terms," Froboese said.

When officers contacted Romero at around 3:45 p.m. Monday,  two others, 26-year-olds Jacob San Nicolas and Thomas Kaliher were also at the residence, Froboese said.

Murrieta police officers allegedly found meth pipes and nearly 7 grams of methamphetamine in the residence, Froboese said.

Stolen and forged checks were also allegedly found lying around, the sergeant said.

All three were were booked at Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of multiple felony charges.

Romero was being held on $25,000 bail and was due in court Thursday, according to sheriff's jail records.

Kaliher was released Tuesday on $5,000 bail. He was due in court June 27.

San Nicolas was being held on $20,000 bail and was due in court the same day as Romero.

Froboese said such searches are pro-active police work to ensure probationers and parolees are in full compliance with the terms of their release. The searches are also part of a concerted effort to reduce crime in the city, he said.