This morning, a regular patrol through the Santa Rosa streets led to an unexpected discovery: a vehicle with heavily tinted windows caught the eye of a local officer near Steele Lane and Berkeley Drive, resulting in a traffic stop that revealed much more than a simple vehicle code violation. The vehicle's driver, identified as 55-year-old Steven Molina, was no stranger to law enforcement, having previously crossed paths with them, according to a Santa Rosa Police social media post.
A routine check revealed Molina's status on full searchable probation. This prompted the officer to search Molina and his vehicle, revealing approximately 112.9g of suspected methamphetamine, and more dire, a loaded 9mm privately manufactured firearm, known as a "ghost gun" for it carries no serial number and escapes registration with the Department of Justice.
The discovery of the weapon situated in a black bag beneath the passenger seat swiftly changed the course of the stop. The firearm in question was additionally equipped with an extended magazine brimming with 15 rounds of ammunition. Given Molina's status as a convicted felon, such possession represents a grave breach of the law.
Molina, now facing an array of charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and violations indicative of recidivist tendencies, was transported to Sonoma County Jail.
