An unconventional traffic stop in Alhambra led to an arresting scene when officers pulled over a man whose car sparked suspicion for being, well, somewhat out of the ordinary. According to a post on the Alhambra Police Department's Facebook page, the driver initiated a conversation about his car's broken ignition – which was likened to "a loose tooth" hanging from the steering column – clearly not an everyday automotive feature.
The incident unfolded near Westmont Ave. and Valley Blvd., where the officers conducted the traffic stop. The man purportedly informed the officers that turning off the vehicle required pliers, as traditional keys were deemed passé. As he scrambled for his documents, officers caught a glimpse of a clear baggie on the floorboard, its contents impossible to mistake for anything but methamphetamine. The man nonchalantly added that a firearm was resting in the back seat, raising the stakes of this increasingly bizarre encounter.
Furthering the oddities of this traffic stop, the man was found to be in possession of not one, but five cellphones. Each apparently serving a distinct purpose in his life, be it communicating with a "plug," managing virtual simulations, or maintaining numerous social media personas. The Facebook post by the police department wryly suggested these devices also catered to searches on how to attract the attention of law enforcement, and staying connected to an ex he had allegedly moved past.
The individual at the heart of this mishap was identified as Vicken Zanazanian of Azusa, CA. Following the discoveries and his arrest, Zanazanian's only means of outbound communication will likely shift to calls placed from behind bars. It's a grim reminder that the choices we make, the items we carry, and the narratives we craft have real-life consequences that can swiftly transition from seemingly light-hearted eccentricities to serious legal repercussions.
