Traffic stop leads to arrest for weapons charges

By Elizabeth Larson | Jan. 1, 2020
Weapons found in a vehicle driven by Jesus Munoz-Griego, 18, of Clearlake, California, on Sunday, December 29, 2019. Clearlake Police Department photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Sunday afternoon traffic stop led to a Clearlake man’s arrest on numerous weapons charges.

The Clearlake Police Department said Jesus Munoz-Griego, 18, was arrested in the case.

At 2:12 p.m. Sunday, Officer Chris Kelleher was patrolling the area of Highlands Way near Vista Robles Way when he observed a black 2001 Toyota Echo turning right onto Highlands Way from Old Highway 53 at a high rate of speed and driving on the wrong side of the roadway, according to the report.

The report said Officer Kelleher conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for several vehicle code violations.

As Officer Kelleher began approaching the driver’s side of the vehicle, he noticed the driver, Munoz-Griego, was reaching down at the driver floorboard, police said.

Due to Munoz-Griego’s actions, Officer Kelleher opened Munoz-Griego’s door and ordered him out of the vehicle along with the passengers, according to the report.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Munoz-Griego did not have a valid California driver's license and he was placed under arrest.

Police said that during a search of the vehicle, Officer Kelleher located a loaded black Tec 9 with a high capacity magazine capable of holding 32 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition lying on the driver floorboard in a bag next to a large knife. Several more rounds of various ammunition were located scattered throughout the vehicle along with a glass smoking methamphetamine pipe.

While examining the firearm, Officer Kelleher discovered that the serial number to the firearm had been scratched off, police said.

The Clearlake Police Department said Munoz-Griego was arrested on probable cause for numerous firearm and weapon violations along with operating a motor vehicle without a valid California driver's license and transported to the Lake County Jail for booking.