COVINA — The arrest of a man on suspicion of drug possession at a motel Tuesday led police to arrest two other people on suspicion of stealing copper wiring, authorities said.

Richard Hughes, 43, was jailed on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, while Laura Wohlhueter, 47, and Keith Kessler, 41, were booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property, Covina police Lt. John Curley said. All three are West Covina residents.

Officers were on patrol near the Radisson Suites, 1211 E. Garvey Street, when they spotted Hughes in the parking lot rifling through a car, the lieutenant said.

Police questioned the man and quickly discovered he had a small amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine with him, police said. He told officers that the car he was seen in belonged to a friend who was renting a room.

After arresting Hughes, police went to the hotel room he indicated to verify his story, Curley said. Once in the room, officers noticed a box full of copper wiring which they believed to be stolen and arrested Wohlhueter and Kessler.

According to county booking records, all three suspects were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and were due due for arraignment Thursday in West Covina Superior Court.