Felon Wearing Ballistic Vest Arrested In Cloverdale: Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Rio Lindo man was arrested early Tuesday morning in Cloverdale on suspicion of illegal possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia when a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy spotted him in a parked car wearing a military-style vest, a Sonoma County sheriff's official said.

At about 2 a.m., the deputy was on patrol in the 32000 block of McCray Road when a black Volkswagen Jetta parked facing the wrong way, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said. The deputy thought the car looked suspicious and as he approached it, he found a woman in the driver's seat and a man — later identified as 42-year-old Julian Salazar — in the passenger's seat.

"A strong odor of marijuana was emanating from the open window and the deputy noticed Salazar was wearing a camouflage military-style ballistic flak jacket with hard armor plates and rubber gloves," Crum said. "A large bag containing over two pounds of marijuana was on the floorboard at his feet."

The deputy decided to detain Salazar and after placing him in handcuffs, allegedly found 27 live .45-caliber rounds in Salazar's pants pockets.

It was determined that Salazar was a convicted felon, which prohibits him from possessing ammunition or guns, Crum explained.

"Salazar was questioned about wearing the bulletproof flak jacket and he said he wears it when he goes camping, which he said he was intending to do," Crum said. "Based on the flak jacket and rubber gloves worn by Salazar it is likely that he was prevented from committing a more serious crime by the deputy."

In addition to the marijuana, a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine was also allegedly found inside the car. However, a gun was not found, Crum said.

Salazar was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of over 1 ounce of marijuana and a misdemeanor arrest warrant for driving without a license.

Salazar's female companion was also temporarily detained and searched but was released without charges, Crum said.

A gun was not found during a search of the car or Salazar's person, the sergeant said.

Photo via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office