CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Two local men were arrested on Thursday night in a case that began with the discovery of a stolen car and led to Lake County Sheriff's deputies finding marijuana and methamphetamine.

Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested 41-year-old Matthew Alan Labrash of Lakeport and Fred Ralph Pearl, 35, of Upper Lake.

At 9:30 p.m. Thursday a deputy was patrolling the Clearlake Oaks area when he observed a gray Chevrolet Impala idling in the middle of the road in the 100 block of Schindler Street. Brooks said a records check of the vehicle revealed that it was reported stolen.

The deputy contacted a male subject sitting in the front passenger seat, who he identified as Labrash, as well as Pearl of Upper Lake, who was at a nearby residence, Brooks said.

Brooks said Pearl admitted being the owner and the driver of the vehicle, telling the deputy he purchased the vehicle from a female for $5,500.

However, Pearl was unable to provide a telephone number or any additional information concerning the female or any paperwork showing he was the current owner of the vehicle, Brooks said.

The deputy noticed the vehicle was a 2015 model in new condition and that it was registered to a rental company in Southern California. When the deputy asked Pearl if he suspected the vehicle might be stolen, Pearl replied that he thought he just got a great deal, according to Brooks.

A second deputy arrived on scene to assist with the investigation, Brooks said. During a pat search of Labrash, one of the deputies located a glass methamphetamine pipe concealed in one of his socks.

While the deputies were standing at the passenger side of the vehicle talking to Labrash, Brooks said they could smell the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.

Inside the trunk of the vehicle deputies located a black plastic trash bag which contained four separate bags of processed marijuana. They also located a clear one gallon bag in the center console which also contained processed marijuana, according to Brooks.

In the backseat of the vehicle beneath a child’s booster seat, the deputies located a red rubber tray which contained a large amount of concentrated cannabis, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputies located and seized a total of 3.5 pounds of processed marijuana and 2.38 pounds of concentrated cannabis from inside the vehicle and 2.2 grams of methamphetamine from the glass pipe.

Labrash claimed ownership of all the marijuana located in the vehicle and said it was for his personal use, Brooks said. The deputy asked why he was riding around with such a large amount of marijuana in the vehicle and Labrash stated “No comment.”

Brooks said Labrash was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Pearl was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and for committing a felony while out on bail, Brooks said.

Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked on the charges. Booking records showed Labrash was held on $20,000 bail, with Pearl's bail set at $15,000.

Labrash remained in custody early Saturday, while Pearl had posted the required portion of bail and been released, based on jail records.