A traffic stop in Turlock on Friday evening turned into arrests for possession of multiple illegal assault weapons and narcotics.
A Turlock Police motorcycle officer was conducting traffic enforcement in the area around the Stanislaus County Fair at around 7p.m. Friday when he saw a silver Honda Civic traveling at a high rate of speed on West Canal Drive. The officer caught up to the Honda and stopped it for vehicle code violations.
The driver, 22-year old Turlock resident Victor Roman, yielded in the Town Center parking lot, immediately exited the vehicle, and began walking towards the officer. The officer gave the driver clear directions to stop and get back into the vehicle, according to the police. Roman did not follow directions given by the officer but was ultimately detained.
A passenger in the in the vehicle, 19-year old Turlock resident Alexis Jimenez, was detained due to a large amount of marijuana and ammunition in plain view in the car. He was uncooperative and he was placed in handcuffs. During a pat-down search for weapons of both Roman and Jimenez, an illegal butterfly knife was located concealed on Roman and a dagger and loaded handgun was located concealed on Jimenez.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located eight more firearms, a .22 semi-auto rifle, two AR-15 style rifles, a shotgun, and four handguns as well as several high capacity handguns, AR-15, and AK-47 magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, dozens of pills believed to be fentanyl, approximately 3.5 ounces of marijuana, Xanax pills, and items associated with sales of narcotics.
Roman was booked at the Stanislaus County Jail on multiple felonies and misdemeanor charges, including several drug charges including possession of narcotics for sale, possession of illegal assault weapons, possession of concealed and unregistered firearm, possession of a high capacity magazine, possession of more than an ounce of marijuana and possession of a switchblade knife. Roman remains in custody.
Jimenez was booked at the Stanislaus County jail on multiple felony drug charges and other misdemeanor charges, including concealed dagger, possession of a loaded and concealed firearm in public, as well as possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and he remains in custody.
“Regardless of their assignment, our officers are committed to the safety of those that live in and visit Turlock. This incident started as a traffic stop for vehicle code violations and turned into much, much more. Between the seizure of the firearms and fentanyl, we will never know how many lives were saved,” said Captain Miguel Pacheco.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this incident call Officer Richard Fortado at (209) 664-7399. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
