Full Notification

A California Highway Patrol Officer assigned to the East Los Angeles CHP Area, was monitoring an intersection in a school zone within an unincorporated neighborhood of East Los Angeles.

The officer’s attention was drawn to a vehicle that failed to stop at the four-way stop sign intersection. The officer initiated an enforcement stop by activating the emergency lights of his patrol vehicle, but the subject vehicle failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued. The vehicle made a turn into an alley and the driver exited the vehicle and fled from the officer.

CHP Officers set up a perimeter and requested and received assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. A resident observed the suspect run into a house and notified officers at the scene. Officers eventually made contact with the suspect and he surrendered peacefully.

As a result of the enforcement stop and subsequent investigation, officers discovered the vehicle was stolen and recovered an SKS assault rifle with detachable high capacity magazines. These types of magazines are banned in California. Additionally, officers found the driver in possession of methamphetamine.

Officers identified the driver as Ruben E. Baca Jr, age 40. Mr. Baca was booked in Men’s Central Jail and booked under the following charges:

10851 VC – Stolen Vehicle
11370.1 HS – Possession of a controlled substance
30305 (a) PC – Felon in possession of firearm
2800.2 VC – Reckless evading

“Anytime we take a dangerous weapon off our streets we can all sleep more comfortably at night,” said Dan Bower, Southern Division Chief. “If you’re up to no good, no matter where in California, the CHP will find you, arrest you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”