Menlo Park Police arrested two men and a youth after discovering stolen items during a traffic stop at 10:52 p.m. on March 5.

After observing a vehicle-code violation, police conducted a traffic stop and were able to smell "the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle," according to a department release.

Police found electronic items, jewelry and a large amount of money, all of which they determined came from an East Palo Alto residence that had been burglarized earlier that day. Police returned the items to the victims after they identified the items as belonging to them.

Police arrested the suspects, whom they identified as Francisco Ramirez, 20, of Menlo Park; Victor Bell, 18, of Menlo Park; and a juvenile who lives in East Palo Alto.

Ramirez and Bell were booked into the San Mateo County Jail for residential burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen items, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and a criminal street gang enhancement.

The youth was booked into the Hillcrest juvenile detention center on charges of residential burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen items and a criminal street gang enhancement.

— Eric Van Susteren

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.