Ventura Police: SP man found in trunk of car lying on stolen loaded gun is arrested
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: February 06, 2013
Ventura Police got more than what they expected when they found a Santa Paula man in the trunk of a car they were searching, and then discovered the subject was lying on top of a stolen and loaded handgun.
The incident occurred Wednesday, January 30 at about 11:45 p.m. at Porter Lane and Valmore Avenue, after police observed a traffic violation and conducted a stop on a vehicle driven by Rachel Carranco. During the stop, officers determined Carranco was driving with a suspended drivers license.
According to a Ventura Police statement, as part of the investigation officers searched the car and found illegal drugs in the passenger compartment. When they opened the trunk of the vehicle to search it, officers found Daniel Blancarte, 22, of Santa Paula, hiding in the trunk of the vehicle.
“Blancarte was uncooperative with demands made by officers” to exit the trunk, but Ventura Police noted he “was eventually removed from the trunk.” That’s when officers found Blancarte had been lying on top of a stolen and loaded handgun.
Officers also found that Blancarte has previous convictions for felony violations, and therefore simple possession of a firearm is a felony violation of current law. Blancarte was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics and outstanding warrants.
Ventura Police said Blancarte, a documented Santa Paula gang member, was booked into Ventura County Jail.
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