Traffic stop for mechanical violation nets gun and drugs
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department said that what started as a routine vehicle stop resulted in an arrest, as well as the seizure of a loaded handgun and the discovery of methamphetamine.
John Donald Cooper, 59, of Rodeo was taken into custody following the traffic stop, according to a report from Sgt. Ryan Peterson.
Just after 12:30 a.m. on Friday, Officer Mauricio Barreto was conducting patrol in the area of the 15000 block of Lakeshore Drive when he saw a vehicle driving with inoperable license plate lamps on Lakeshore Drive and conducted a traffic stop, Peterson said.
Peterson said Officer Barreto contacted the driver, Cooper, and a passenger. During the contact, Cooper displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Barreto asked Cooper to step out of the vehicle to further investigate the matter and Cooper refused after being given several commands, Peterson said.
Peterson said Cooper eventually exited the vehicle and was placed under arrest for obstructing an officer.
During a search, Barreto found an unregistered, loaded .38-caliber revolver n Cooper’s rear pants pocket. Peterson said Barreto also found on Cooper approximately 13.8 grams of methamphetamine.
A records check showed Cooper to be a convicted felon. Peterson said Cooper was arrested for charges which included carrying a concealed firearm, armed in the commission of a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance while armed and possession for sales of a controlled substance.
Cooper was booked into the Lake County Jail where his bail was set at $50,000. He remained in custody on Wednesday. He’s scheduled to be arraigned in Lake County Superior Court on Sept. 16.