Officers Locate Firearm During Traffic Stop

“On February 25, 2021 at about 4:55 p.m., Officers Luis Castellanos and Stephen O’Day were on patrol in the 500 Block of Elmwood Drive, when they observed a Chevrolet Silverado driving without a front license plate. The Officers stopped the truck and contacted the driver and owner of the vehicle, 32-year-old Sesar David Garcia of Hollister and his adult passenger.

During the contact, officers determined Garcia was on active CDCR Parole and they performed a search of his vehicle. Inside of the vehicle the officers located a loaded handgun concealed in the headboard and Garcia was placed under arrest. A records check confirmed the handgun had been reported stolen out of Arizona.

Garcia’s passenger was released on scene and he was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a concealed stolen firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and parole violation.

Great work Officer’s Castellanos and O’Day!

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To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-2545. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org”