UPS employee arrested on suspicion of stealing pistol from Rancho Cordova mailing center

A United Parcel Service employee was arrested Tuesday in connection with the theft of a gun from a UPS center in Rancho Cordova.

In a news release, the Rancho Cordova Police Department said Alex Elkins of Rancho Cordova was taken into custody on suspicion of stealing the gun from his place of employment.

Police officers were patrolling near Mills Station and Mather Field roads when they caught sight of a vehicle driving fast.

After conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, officers determined Elkins, the driver, who was apparently headed to work, had a warrant outstanding for his arrest, according to the release.

A search of the vehicle yielded a loaded handgun that was stolen from a UPS center while it was on the way to its destination, authorities said.

Police arrested Elkins, 24, on felony firearm charges and booked him into Sacramento County jail.