Full Notification

Over the past few days, San Leandro Police Officers recovered three handguns during separate traffic incidents. All of the weapons were possessed illegally by arrested individuals, and two of the guns were recovered on the same night.

The first incident occurred last Sunday evening on June 10th. A San Leandro Police officer on patrol conducted a routine traffic stop around 11:50 pm in the area of Davis Street and Doolittle Drive. One of the two occupants in the vehicle was on probation which led to a search of the vehicle. A loaded 9mm handgun was located in the vehicle as well as narcotics that were packaged for sales. Both occupants were arrested.

The second incident occurred about 20 minutes later, on June 11th around 12:10 am. Another SLPD officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop in the area of MacArthur Blvd. and Fortuna Drive. A male subject in the vehicle was found to be on probation due to a previous firearm offense. Officers searched the subject's vehicle and found a loaded 9mm handgun. Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

The most recent incident occurred last night, June 13th around 10:45 pm. A San Leandro Police Officer on Patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 3000 block of Alvarado Street. The driver of the vehicle did not have any form of identification which required the officer to investigate further. As the driver exited the vehicle, the officer found that the subject was carrying a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband. The gun was safely recovered, and the subject was placed under arrest.

"These incidents are just a few over the past several days," said San Leandro Police Lieutenant Isaac Benabou. "So far this year officers have recovered approximately 31 handguns from cars and individuals in San Leandro. These incidents should remind us of the dangers that our officers face every day during routine calls. Fortunately, all guns were recovered safely, and without incident, however, any weapon present during a police encounter is dangerous and a reason for concern."

Illegally carrying a firearm in California is a misdemeanor unless other circumstances exist, making it a felony.