Theodore Fonseca, also known as Javier Martinez Jr., was arrested around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday when sheriff's Deputy Aaron Rosenberg began checking on a 1986 white, two-door BMW he believed might have been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Merced.
A check with the Department of Motor Vehicles showed the license plate was expired, although the car had current registration tags.
Stopping the BMW at West 12th and G streets, the deputy noticed the front license plate did not match the license plate in the rear. A check showed the front plate came from a Chevrolet in San Jose, Rosenberg wrote in his report.
The driver, who had a valid driver's license in the name of Javier Martinez Jr. said he had just registered the vehicle two days ago and was given 2006 tags by DMV.
It was later established that Fonseca was the driver's real name.
A warrant check showed Martinez was on parole and had a search and seizure clause in his parole agreement.
Fonseca was arrested after a search of the suspect's pocket turned up a hypodermic syringe.
While searching the BMW prior to having it stored, the deputy found a plastic bag underneath the driver's seat containing a substance the deputy believed was marijuana.
Fonseca was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, false registration tags, possession of an illegal syringe and no-bail parole violation.
He remained in custody Thursday on the no-bail parole violation, said sheriff's spokesman Scott Dover.
Reporter Mike De La Cruz can be reached at 385-2474 or mdelacruz@mercedsun-star.com.
