Police Seize Meth, Loaded Gun After Stopping to Help Stranded Motorists

What began as a check on a couple with a disabled vehicle in Pasadena Friday night took a different turn when police realized both people were wanted and discovered a loaded handgun and methamphetamine packaged for sales in their car, authorities said.

Manuel Delgado, 40, of Pasadena, who was already on felony probation for a prior carjacking conviction, was booked on suspicion of drug sales and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Pasadena police officials and Los Angeles County booking county records.

Sandra Poot, 34, of Pasadena was arrested due to an outstanding warrant, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo said.

The encounter began about 8:40 p.m. when officers spotted the man and woman with a disabled vehicle parked on the side of the 400 block of South Arroyo Parkway, Russo said. The officers stopped to assist.

Poot told the officers her battery had died, and her boyfriend had just returned with another car to jump start it, Russo said.

As officers ran the license plate of the car, they learned the owner, Poot, had an outstanding arrest warrant, according to the lieutenant. They also discovered Delgado was on felony probation for carjacking.

Officer searched the car and found a loaded .357-caliber revolver, extra ammunition and methamphetamine packaged for sales, Russo said.

It was then discovered that Delgado’s car, which he had brought to the scene to jump start his girlfriend, had been linked to a robbery in the Los Angeles Police Department’s jurisdiction, Russo added. The investigation into that crime was ongoing.

Delgado was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance, county booking records show. Poot was released with a citation.