MONTE VISTA — Three people were arrested after the Monte Vista Police Department served search warrants at two residences in the city on Wednesday, Aug. 4.  

At approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday, MVPD officers conducted two simultaneous search warrants of residences within Monte Vista for drugs and weapons, MVPD Chief George Dingfelder stated. 

The first search was conducted in an apartment at 2244 East Dr.  Officers found heroin and drug paraphernalia during the search.  

The second search was conducted at 724 Clay St. Officers found heroin, methamphetamine and several stolen items.   

Several people were detained for questioning and three were arrested on outstanding warrants, including Martin Meza, 41, of Monte Vista, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants, including escaping from custody. 

Meza was sentenced to community corrections for a July 22, 2020, burglary of Valley Guns in Monte Vista. Meza was apprehended on Aug. 1, 2020, after being on the run following the gun store burglary. Community corrections is a program similar to a halfway house. 

After being sentenced, Meza escaped community corrections and law enforcement had been actively looking for him. Meza is being held in the Rio Grande County Jail. 

Also arrested on an outstanding warrant was Marissa Medina-Montoya, 22, of Monte Vista, for failing to appear for drug charges and Juan Meza, 31, of Monte Vista, for a traffic offense. Meza and Medina-Montoya are being held in the Rio Grande County Jail.   

This is an ongoing investigation. The Monte Vista Police Department was assisted by the Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol.