Traffic Stop in Desert Hot Springs Leads to Ghost Gun Recovery and Two Arrests
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — A failed traffic stop in Desert Hot Springs resulted in a foot pursuit, a Taser deployment, and the recovery of an un-serialized firearm on Friday, Oct. 2.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., Desert Hot Springs Police Department officers observed a green BMW fail to come to a complete stop at a posted sign near the intersection of Ocotillo Road and Hacienda Avenue. Upon noticing the patrol vehicle, the driver accelerated southbound on Ocotillo Road at high speed before pulling into an apartment complex in the 13000 block of Ocotillo Road. Investigators confirmed neither the driver nor the passenger resided at the complex.
During the contact, officers instructed the driver to step out of the vehicle for a weapons search. As he exited, the driver fled on foot toward a nearby residence. Responding officers pursued the driver on foot and deployed a Taser to halt him, placing him into custody without further incident.
The passenger fled the scene during the foot pursuit of the driver but later surrendered voluntarily to officers.
A subsequent vehicle inventory search of the BMW yielded a loaded, un-serialized 9mm firearm—commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”—concealed inside the center console.
Both individuals were booked into the Riverside County Jail on various misdemeanor and felony charges.
