Coalinga and Riverdale men arrested by Problem Oriented Policing team

The officers, on Wednesday, May 18, at about 11:15 p.m., conducted the traffic stop in the area of C Street and North Lemoore Ave. and contacted the driver, Cristino Lopez Ochoa, 41, of Coalinga and his passenger, Tiago Arruda, 25, of Riverdale.

Ochoa told the officers that he had recently purchased the vehicle, and that he had not registered it yet. During his conversation with the police, one of the officers observed what appeared to be a knife handle concealed near the armrest and seatbelt.

Suspect Tiago Arruda

Both suspects were removed from the vehicle, and a large hunting knife was in fact recovered near where the driver had been seated. Ochoa was placed under arrest for possession of a concealed weapon.

A further search of Ochoa led to the discovery of methamphetamine.

The passenger, Tiago Arruda, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. A search of Arruda led to the discovery of approximately 8.5 grams of methamphetamine as well as several keys that could be used to commit auto theft.

Inside of the vehicle, officers located narcotics packaging as well as a radio that had been stolen in a burglary earlier in the day in Lemoore.

Ochoa and Arruda were interviewed and admitted that they were going to the Tachi Palace and Casino to sell the methamphetamine to make money as both were currently unemployed.

Both subjects were booked into the Kings County Jail for criminal conspiracy, possession of controlled substance for sales, transportation of a controlled substance for sales, and possession of a controlled substance.

Ochoa was booked on an additional charge of carrying a concealed weapon. Arruda was also booked on additional charges of possession of burglary tools and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $100,000.00 for each subject.