An Irvine man's Saturday drive to the Spectrum hit a roadblock when cops nabbed him for allegedly trying to sneak a loaded gun and narcotics during a traffic stop, authorities said.
Matthew Van, 19, was pulled over by Irvine Police Spectrum Officers after they spotted the young driver committing a traffic violation, according to the Irvine Police Department's Facebook post. Officers said Van took his time coming to a stop and seemed to be trying to hide something, #notagoodfirstimpression, the social media post read.
The police search allegedly led to the discovery of a concealed loaded firearm and drugs that Van reportedly tried to stash away before the officers approached his vehicle. As a result of the find, the 19-year-old was slapped with multiple felony charges and is now cooling his heels in the Orange County Jail, police reported.
Venturing out for what might have been, an uneventful day at Irvine's prestigious shopping and entertainment center ended with Van barred from enjoying any of its amenities. Instead, he was booked on serious charges, a cautionary tale that Irvine PD summed up with a hashtag: #dontcommitcrimeinirvine. The arrest serves as a stark reminder that committing crimes, no matter the location, can lead to swift and severe consequences, as this incident in the Orange County city illustrates.
Details on the exact charges Van is facing were not immediately available, but the Irvine Police Department used the occasion to remind everyone in their quirky online missive that "crime doesn't pay" in Irvine. The incident is likely to be followed by more information as the department continues to investigate and process the case.
