LBPD Officers Conduct Traffic Stops and Seize Firearms, Narcotics, and a Large Sum of Currency

On Aug. 29, 2022, at approximately 5:14 p.m., officers assigned to West Division were patrolling in the area of 19^th Street and Cherry Avenue, when they observed a vehicle execute a traffic violation. This resulted in the officers conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle, where they contacted a male adult suspect. While officers detained the suspect, they discovered a firearm in the vehicle. Officers subsequently arrested the suspect and transported him to Long Beach City Jail for booking.

The suspect was identified as Andrew Garcia, a 27-year-old resident of Long Beach who was booked on one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle as an active participant in a criminal street gang, and one count of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle where the person is not listed as the registered owner of the firearm. The suspect was placed on a Post Release Community Supervision hold and bail was set at no bail.

On Aug. 30, 2022, at approximately 5:23 p.m., officers assigned to West Division were patrolling in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, when they observed a vehicle execute a traffic violation. This resulted in the officers conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle, where they contacted a male adult suspect. While officers detained the suspect, they discovered a stolen firearm, narcotics, and a large sum of currency in the vehicle. Officers subsequently arrested the suspect and transported him to Long Beach City Jail for booking.

The suspect was identified as Mario Tapia, a 24-year-old resident of the City of Wilmington who was booked on one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of selling, transporting, furnishing, administering or importing of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance for sale, and one count of possession of a firearm in violation of a court order. The suspect was placed on a probation hold and bail was set at no bail.