Pomona police officers located a man on felony probation in possession of a loaded assault rifle and methamphetamine loitering in a park, authorities said Saturday.
The officers from the Major Crimes Task Force were in the 800 block of East Holt Avenue about 7:15 p.m. Friday when they noticed several people loitering in Garfield Park after park hours, said Pomona police Sgt. Mark Medellin.
The officers recognized 28-year-old Charles Wheeler of Perris in the group and knew he was on felony probation for assault and subject to searches during police contacts, Medellin said.
“Inside of a rolling bin, Wheeler had a loaded assault rifle,” Medellin said. “During a pat-down of his person, Wheeler was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine.”
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Wheeler was arrested without incident after admitting the rifle and drugs were his, the sergeant said. He was booked into the city's jail for suspicion of possessing a loaded/unregistered firearm, felon in possession of firearm and ammunition and possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.
