A gunfire call on Bowling Drive in South Sacramento ended with two men in cuffs and a stash of weapons and narcotics off the street, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies from the Central Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) team say they were called out March 24 after a witness reported two people firing from a vehicle. Investigators recovered spent shell casings at the scene, and the follow-up work by POP deputies ultimately led to two arrests along with the seizure of firearms and drugs. One man was booked on multiple felony counts, while the other was jailed on drug and probation charges.
In a post on Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, deputies identified the men as 35-year-old Evan Pimental and Dustin Hegseth. The sheriff’s office says investigators seized narcotics, an unregistered handgun, live ammunition, high-capacity magazines, cash and parts for an automatic firearm. According to the post, Pimental was booked on multiple felony counts that include felon in possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics for sale, possession of narcotics while armed, felon in possession of ammunition and possession of an extended magazine. Hegseth, deputies said, was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin and a probation violation.
How POP teams work in Sacramento
Problem-oriented policing units are designed to tackle recurring community problems such as illicit drug sales and gun violence, rather than just chasing one call after another. The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing describes the approach as diagnosing persistent problems and crafting tailored responses aimed at keeping them from recurring.
In Sacramento County’s Central Division, which covers unincorporated South Sacramento, POP deputies are the ones tasked with that kind of targeted work. The unit credited with this investigation is part of that Central Division effort.
Budget threat raises the stakes
The sheriff’s post also flagged a financial wrinkle: POP teams are among the units “subject to being cut” under the county’s proposed budget. Deputies suggested that trimming those teams could undercut the kind of focused enforcement that turns up weapons and narcotics in neighborhoods like the one around Bowling Drive. The agency pointed to these arrests as an example of what proactive POP enforcement looks like on the ground.
Legal details
According to the sheriff’s office, Pimental faces multiple felony counts tied to firearms and narcotics. Hegseth was booked on drug possession charges and a probation violation. Both men were taken to the county jail, and deputies say the investigation is still active.
The sheriff’s office thanked community members for providing information and asked anyone with additional tips or video to contact investigators. Deputies say they plan to keep pursuing leads in the case.
