Police Find Semi-Automatic Pistol After Traffic Stop

Pasadena police Special Enforcement Section officers allegedly encountered an unlicensed driver wanted by authorities with a semi-automatic pistol in his car when they made a traffic stop in Northwest Pasadena Friday night.

Pasadena Lt. John Mercado said officers pulled over a car near the intersection of West Hammond Street and Morton Avenue about 6:20 p.m. for vehicle code violations.

The driver and sole occupant, Nishan White, 29, of Pasadena, was determined to be driving without a driver’s license, Mercado said.

When officers ran a “wants and warrants” check on White, they reportedly discovered he was the subject of multiple arrest warrants and he was placed into custody without incident.

Mercado said that as White’s car was being searched and inventoried prior to towing, officers discovered a semi-automatic pistol hidden inside a bag on the back seat of the car.

White was arrested for the possession of the handgun, Mercado said.