Yuba City man arrested after deputies allegedly find unregistered gun during window tint stop

Northern California deputies arrested a 22-year-old man Friday on suspicion of having a loaded, unregistered gun in his possession, the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies made a traffic stop after spotting an SUV traveling southbound on Highway 99 in Yuba City with darkly tinted front windows at 11:42 p.m., according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Overly tinted front windows violate state law because they reduce driver visibility, the Sheriff’s Office said.

While speaking with the driver, deputies reported smelling alcohol. Additionally, a 22-year-old SUV passenger was allegedly found to have several outstanding warrants, authorities said.

A search of the vehicle yielded an open alcohol container and a loaded semi-automatic handgun, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“The handgun was unregistered in the State of California,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “(The suspect) claimed the handgun to be his and said he carries it for protection.”

The man was booked into jail on suspicion of gun charges and his warrant, according to the news release.

The driver passed a field sobriety test and was released with a verbal warning for the tinted windows, sheriff’s officials said.

This story was originally published December 11, 2023 at 4:33 PM.