Tinted Windows Lead to Marijuana Arrest in Murrieta

MURRIETA – Police pulled over a driver for having tinted front windows on Tuesday, officers eventually discovering a large amount of marijuana.

Juana Jose Valencia Romero, 24, of Hemet was arrested despite his claims of having a medical marijuana card, according to a press release. Officers discovered a bag of marijuana in Romero’s car that contained more than a half pound, said police.

California Oaks Road passes by California Oaks Park and nearby Shivela Middle School

Murrieta police pulled the car over at around 9:30 p.m. when the front tinted windows drew suspicion, said Sgt. Jay Froboese. He said Romero was driving westbound on California Oaks Road when he was pulled over. Police asked Romero if he was carrying anything illegal. Froboese said Romero told them he had marijuana. Police said Romero told them, “it’s a very large amount.”

Officers also found a bag on the floor behind the front passenger’s seat. Froboese said Romero told officers that he used around two grams of medical marijuana a day for a knee injury. Officers concluded that Romero had more marijuana than he would need for personal medical use. He was booked on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale.

Laws prohibit any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with limited exceptions. The windshield and front driver’s side and passenger’s side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting, according to California Highway Patrol sources.

Romero, whose bail was set at $25,000, was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in nearby French Valley.

Read More:

Press Enterprise: Tinted windows lead to pot arrest

North County Times: Traffic stop leads to seizure of marijuana