What started as an assault report at a business roughly 15 minutes outside Stockton ended with three people in handcuffs and a loaded handgun off the street, Lathrop police said yesterday. Officers tracked down a suspect vehicle, pulled it over, and found a loaded .22-caliber revolver on the rear seat. No injuries were reported.
According to CBS Sacramento, the incident began when a victim reported an assault and fled the location, with three suspects allegedly chasing after them. Officers later stopped the suspects' vehicle and arrested three people "in connection with the assault investigation and related weapons offenses," the Lathrop Police Department said. The suspects' names have not been released.
Traffic Stop Ended the Pursuit
Police say the traffic stop ended the pursuit and turned up the firearm that led to weapons-related holds, along with the assault investigation. The Lathrop Police Department, which became the city's own municipal force in 2022, now handles patrol and investigations for the River Islands area as well, according to the City of Lathrop.
Legal Implications
Because officers recovered a loaded handgun in the vehicle, the suspects could face weapons charges under California law. Carrying a loaded firearm in public or in a vehicle is addressed by Penal Code section 25850. Penal Code §25850 and the state Attorney General's guidance on transporting firearms describe how loaded or unsecured weapons can trigger criminal exposure. Prosecutors will separately evaluate any alleged assault as the investigation continues.
What Comes Next
The department has not released charging details or suspect names and says the investigation is ongoing. For tips or media inquiries, callers can reach Lathrop PD non-emergency dispatch at (209) 249-1800 or the Administration & Support Division at (209) 647-6400. Those contacts are also listed on the city's police transition page.
