BURGLAR SUSPECT ARRESTED WITH OVER $12K IN STOLEN SOLAR PANELS

A Landers man was arrested early Wednesday morning after he was found with methamphetamine and stolen property. According to a Sheriff’s report, a deputy was driving by the 5800 block of Ira Lane in Landers about 2:30 a.m. when he saw a rental moving truck parked in front of a residence with its interior lights on. The truck’s side panels and license plate had been recently painted over; checking inside the truck, the deputy saw drug paraphernalia consistent with possession for sales. The resident of the home, Robert Shelton, 32, a felon on parole, was arrested for possession of meth for sales, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with a bail of $50,000 and on a parole hold. In addition, a search warrant was obtained. During the search, deputies found 28 solar panels worth $12,000 that had been reported stolen from a solar farm in the 3400 block of Morongo Road in Twentynine Palms in July. Robert Shelton was subsequently booked on an additional charge of receiving stolen property, with an additional bail of $25,000.