Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20220812-041
Friday, August 12, 2022

Observant Officer Sees Cell, Gets Gun

A traffic stop for a cell phone violation locates an unregistered firearm
 
San Mateo, CA – On August 11, 2022, at approximately 5:22 p.m., a San Mateo Police Department officer drove northbound on North Ellsworth Avenue towards Tilton Avenue. As the officer passed through the intersection, he observed a driver, who was facing the southbound direction, using a cell phone in a handheld manner, which  a violation of 23123.5 CVC. The officer turned his vehicle around and initiated a traffic stop. The driver yielded at the 200 block of Baldwin Avenue.

After the traffic stop, SMPD officers started their investigation. The driver, later identified as Kevin Aguilar, was the only occupant in the vehicle. He informed SMPD officers he did not have a license on his person. A records check confirmed that Aguilar’s license was suspended. Officers requested for Aguilar to exit the vehicle, and he complied. Because Aguilar parked his vehicle illegally when he yielded for the traffic stop and did not possess a valid license, SMPD officers towed Aguilar’s vehicle. During an inventory of the vehicle prior to the tow, SMPD officers located a bag partially concealed under the front passenger seat. In the bag, officers located a 9mm Glock 26 loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.  Officers learned the firearm was unregistered. Officers safely arrested Aguilar. He was transported to San Mateo County Jail and booked for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm and not being the registered owner, and driving with a suspended license. 

Always remember, “If you see something, say something.” We are encouraging our community to utilize security cameras. They are especially helpful in identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when cameras are street facing. Our officers regularly canvass for surveillance and you can help us by notifying SMPD where cameras are located in your neighborhood at www.cityofsanmateo.org/NEST.

ARRESTED
Kevin Aguilar, a 20-year-old San Mateo resident
Charges: Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (25400(a)(1) PC), Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle (25850(a) PC), Carrying a loaded firearm and not being the registered owner (25850 (c)(6) PC), Driving with a suspended license (14601.1(a)CVC)

MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Office of the Chief
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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