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A 26-year-old man pulled over by Menlo Park police for a traffic stop in what turned out to be a stolen truck pleaded not guilty to multiple charges on Tuesday, March 17.
Julio Moreno Lopez of East Palo Alto was stopped by Menlo Park police for a traffic violation around 7:30 p.m. on March 12, according to the report.
Upon finding that Mr. Lopez was allegedly driving on a suspended license, police called the registered owner of the truck – who said the vehicle had just been stolen from the driveway of his Menlo Oaks Drive home, striking another car on the way. The house had also reportedly been ransacked; a bottle of wine taken from the scene was said to be found in truck, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Lopez allegedly told police that a man named “Frog” had given him the truck, but was unable to provide a full name or address for his benefactor, the DA said.
He pleaded not guilty in San Mateo County Superior Court to burglary, receiving stolen property, joyriding, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving on a suspended license. Represented by the private defenders program, Mr. Moreno remains in custody on $50,000 bail, according to the DA.