Bay Area/ North SF Bay Area
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Published on January 13, 2025
Santa Rosa Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of Loaded Firearm, Driver Arrested and ChargedSource: Santa Rosa Police Department

This morning, a routine traffic stop took an unexpected turn when Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers uncovered a loaded firearm in a vehicle. According to a social media post from Santa Rosa Police, at around 4:50 a.m., an officer pulled over a driver for a moving violation near the intersection of Cleveland Ave. and Steele Ln.

The driver, 29-year-old Nicholas Vanthong, was searched along with his vehicle during the stop, and it was then the officer discovered the loaded 9mm handgun stashed within the center console, Santa Rosa Police detailed in their account. Vanthong, subsequently found to be a prohibited person from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition, faced multiple charges, which included possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm not registered with the Department of Justice (DOJ), and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

Following the discovery of the weapon, Vanthong was arrested and now faces charges under California Penal Codes 29800(A)(1), 25850(C)(6), 30305(A)(1), and 25400(A)(1) as outlined by the post from Santa Rosa Police