Two Banning Men Accused of Vehicle Theft, Drug Possession in Cabazon

Two men from Banning with alleged gang ties were arrested Wednesday morning in Cabazon on suspicion of vehicle theft and drug possession, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The men were in a 1998 Neon sedan stopped by a deputy about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday near Seminole Drive and Thunder Road, Sgt. Alan Meservey of the sheriff's Cabazon Station said.

"During contact with the unlicensed driver, the deputy noticed that the ignition device was missing and the California license plates displayed on the vehicle were registered to a Saturn make vehicle," Meservey said.

Both men were detained. A search of the Neon turned up an unspecified amount of methamphetamine, according to Meservey.

The Neon's vehicle identification number showed the car was registered to an owner in Banning, Meservey said.

With help from Banning police, the owner of the Neon was located. The owner said the vehicle had been stolen from his residence during the night and had not yet been reported stolen, Meservey said.

The detained men, Joe Liscano, 24, and Jacob Estrada, 18, were "identified as active street gang members" and they were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and illegal drug possession, Meservey said.

Liscano and Estrada were booked at Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. Meservey said both men faced additional gang enhancement charges.

Bail for each man Wednesday afternoon was $25,000, according to inmate records. They have court dates scheduled Friday in Banning.

Anyone with further information was urged to call Deputy Don Atkinson at the Cabazon Station, (951) 922-7100, the Riverside County Sheriff's Dispatch Center, 1 (800) 950-2444), or email CabazonStation@RiversideSheriff.org.