Two Morongo Valley residents were arrested Monday night after they allegedly stole beer from a gas station. Authorities say that Gabriela Tanori,
30, drove Ray Mejia, 28, to the gas station in the 49700 block of 29 Palms Highway about 9:15 p.m. While Tanori waited in the car at a gas pump,
Mejia went into the store, walked directly to the beer coolers, took two 18-packs of Modelo beer, left the store without paying, got into the car, and Tanori drove Mejia away. The store clerk memorized the car’s license plate number and called Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies went to the registered
address listed for the getaway car and contacted Tanori and Mejia. Mejia is on felony probation, and during a probation check of the home, deputies
found two 18-packs of beer—as well as many opened cans of beer—matching the description of the stolen beer. Mejia allegedly admitted under Miranda that he took the beer without paying for it, and Tanori admitted to driving the car. The store clerk positively identified the pair, and said they had stolen from the store before. Gabriela Tanori and Ray Mejia were arrested for investigation of conspiracy—with an additional charge of violating his probation for Mejia—and booked into West Valley Detention Center. Tanori is being held on $25,000 bail; Mejia is being held without bail.
MORONGO VALLEY COUPLE ARRESTED AFTER A BEER RUN
