Texas Man Confronted Officer During Stop Had Loaded Gun
July 01--A 29-year-old El Paso man was arrested after he drove past several traffic barricades, had a confrontation with a police officer and was found to have a loaded gun in his truck, police said.
Friday night, an off-duty police officer who was working traffic control during construction at Joe Battle and Rojas observed a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado truck drive past several traffic barricades.
The officer was able to get the truck to stop and the driver, identified as Said Sandoval, of the 10400 block of Kirkland, was asked to get out of the truck.
The officer observed signs that Sandoval may have been intoxicated and noticed an open can of beer inside of the truck.
Sandoval became agitated and kept looking back toward the open driver's door of the truck, police said.
The officer then observed a gun in plain sight.
As the officer secured the gun, Sandoval came after the officer, police said.
The officer drew his service pistol and ordered Sandoval to the ground. Sandoval refused to comply and then knocked the officer's police radio out of his hand and asked the officer to shoot him, police said.
When the officer recovered his radio and called for backup, Sandoval complied with the officer's commands and was arrested.
Sandoval's gun was found to be loaded with five bullets. He was booked into the El Paso County jail on charges of unlawful carrying of a weapon and DWI with an open container. His bonds totaled $7,000.
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