Roommates Arrested in Murrieta for Alleged Meth, Weapons Possession

This post was originally published at 12:04 a.m. July 22; updated at 2:23 p.m. July 22 to add jail booking photos.

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Two roommates were arrested Sunday in Murrieta on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and carrying loaded firearms after one of the men called police to report a burglary, police said.

Murrieta officers responded to a home in the 28000 block of Ware Street after one of the roommates, Paul Hinkston, 48, called at 1:34 p.m. Sunday to report a past burglary at the residence, said Murrieta police Sgt. Don Weller, in a news release.

Weller stated that before officers could get there, Hinkston called back on the 911 emergency line to report "that he was parked outside his residence waiting for the officers to arrive."

Hinkston allegedly stated that during that time, he observed his roommate, 52-year-old Bill Morlet, "walk inside the residence, but has yet to come out."

Hinkston also allegedly told the 911 call taker that "there were guns in the house and that he was in possession of a loaded shotgun in his vehicle."

Officers arrived shortly thereafter to the home off of Whitewood Road, just south of Linnell Lane, where they located Hinkston seated in his parked vehicle.

Morlet was seen leaving the area in another vehicle, but both men were contacted to further the investigation, Weller said.

A search of the home was conducted at the request of Hinkston to determine whether he had been a victim of burglary.

"During that time, officers located suspected methamphetamine, as well as paraphernalia used to ingest the same—in plain view; however, the allegation of being a victim of a residential burglary was unfounded," Weller said.

Police allege that during the investigation, Hinkston was displaying symptoms of a subject possibly under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant.

Morlet displayed similar symptoms, Weller said.

Officers continued to investigate, finding Hinkston and Morlet allegedly both in possession of suspected methamphetamine.

Hinkston also had a loaded shotgun, while Morlet had a loaded gun in his waistband, police allege.

Both were taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a central nervous system stimulant, possession of narcotics while armed with a firearm, and possession of a loaded firearm.

The roommates were booked at Southwest Detention Center near Murrieta, where as of Sunday night, both were being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Anyone with further information regarding the investigation, was encouraged to call 951-696-3615 and ask for the on-duty watch commander. Or, information can be provided anonymously through "We Tip" at 1-800-78-Crime.