Two men try to ditch gun, loaded magazine as officer approaches their vehicle during traffic stop
LINDSAY – When officers start to pull you over it’s a little late to start throwing things out of the car and claiming that they aren’t yours. But that’s exactly what two Lindsay men did last week.
At 11:30 p.m. on March 17, a Lindsay Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a 2012 Chevy Malibu in the area of Harvard Avenue and Valencia Street.
While approaching the vehicle, Sgt. Riley observed a handgun on the ground next to the passenger side door then observed the passenger toss a loaded magazine out of the passenger side window. Both the driver and passenger were ordered out of the car and gunpoint. When questioned by the sergeant both men denied that the gun and ammunition was there’s. The passenger, 29-year-old Armando Flores-Pamplona, was found to be on parole and the driver, 25-year-old David Barrios, was found to be an ex-convict. Both men were arrested for being in violation of their sentences and current parole. Flores-Pamplona was booked on charges of parole violation while Barrios was booked on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Both were booked at the Porterville Substation.
Lindsay Police Log
Sunday, March 18
At 1:31 a.m. at AM/PM, 951 W. Hermosa, an officer responded to a report of a suspicious subject loitering in front of the store. The subject, 24-year-old Damian Gonzalez, was found to be in possession of a concealed folding knife with the blade in the locked position. Gonzalez was arrested and later released on a signed promise to appear in court.
Monday, March 19
At 8:59 a.m. in the 500 block of S. Mirage, officers attempted to contact Derrick Saldana, 27, of Lindsay, and check the welfare of his 5 year old son. Upon arrival, officers contacted Saldana, but found the juvenile was at another address. Officers conducted a probation search of Saldana’s home and found that he was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic firearm, which had bee stolen out of Turlock, Calif. Officers also found drug paraphernalia and additional rounds of live ammunition for the handgun. While being placed under arrest, Saldana was also found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was later booked at Porterville Sub Station.
Tuesday, March 20
At 12:23 p.m. in the 400 block of N. Elmwood, officers attempted to contact 19-year-old Angel Vasquez, who had an active warrant for domestic violence. Following their arrest of Vasquez, officers found two additional warrants for DUI and an unlicensed driver with a combined bail of $25,000. While at the residence officers located a large amount of marijuana, ammunition and cash. Vasquez was later booked at the Porterville Sub-Station.
