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Parolee arrested for drug possession
Car stop yields drugs
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A parolee passenger was arrested on drug possession charges during a June 5 stop of a car with a missing headlight and license plate.

At 3:31 a.m. Officer Brian Petersen was on patrol on Central Avenue near Evans Road when he saw the SUV and made a stop on Evans Road at Southlawn Drive.

Driver Rene Raya, 36, of Modesto, stated he was on searchable probation for narcotics and rear seat passenger, 36-year-old Matthew Ratliff, was on parole for residential burglary. The occupants were detained so officers could search the vehicle for drugs. Two baggies of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe were found atop a child safety seat next to where Ratliff was seated. Ratliff was arrested while dispatchers advised he also had an outstanding arrest warrant issued by his parole agent. Ratliff admitted that the substances located were his.

Raya and a woman passenger were released at the scene.

Ratliff was booked for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and parole violation.