A routine traffic stop in Newhall turned into a felony arrest on Saturday, after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies say they found a stolen pickup and suspected narcotics in the vehicle.
Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Station pulled the truck over at Drayton Street and Springbrook Avenue. By the end of the stop, the driver was in handcuffs, and the pickup was on its way back to the victim, according to Facebook.
How Deputies Zeroed In
A sergeant with the station’s Special Assignment Team spotted what was believed to be a stolen truck and initiated a traffic stop at Drayton Street and Springbrook Avenue, according to the station’s update. Deputies say the stop was handled without an on-scene pursuit, and investigators are still documenting and processing evidence from the vehicle.
Part Of A Bigger Pattern
The recovery lines up with a recent run of Santa Clarita cases where deputies have stumbled on stolen trucks, trailers, or U-Hauls during everyday patrols and traffic checks. In one example, a January stop that turned up a missing-license-plate U-Haul was reported by Hoodline, and local outlets have frequently highlighted similar finds. KHTS previously chronicled one theft that ended with deputies locating the truck in a Newhall fast-food parking lot.
Arrest, Booking, and Allegations
Deputies identified the driver in Saturday’s stop as a 52-year-old Pacoima man. He was arrested on felony auto-theft allegations and also found to have suspected narcotics, according to the station’s Facebook update. He was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Station jail while detectives continued their investigation and prepared evidence for prosecutors.
Next Steps In The Case
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is expected to review the case and decide whether to file formal charges. If prosecutors move forward, the case will proceed to arraignment in county court, which is the standard next step in felony matters…