A traffic stop on a Dodge Journey in San Mateo on Friday turned into a foot chase and ultimately a search that uncovered a cache of firearms, including two machine guns, inside a nearby home. Police arrested 19-year-old Israel Lavea and 22-year-old Kaeli Lavea, both of San Mateo, in connection with the find.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Foot Chase
According to KRON4, San Mateo police stopped the Dodge Journey for traffic violations near a car wash, but Israel Lavea sped off as officers approached the vehicle, according to police. Officers chased the car west on East Hillsdale Boulevard, and police say Lavea drove on the wrong side of the road during the pursuit before officers lost sight of the car as it headed east on East Hillsdale Boulevard toward Curtiss Street.
The trail led investigators to a residence connected to Israel Lavea in the 100 block of 36th Avenue, where officers found the Dodge Journey parked in a nearby carport with Lavea standing near it. He fled on foot from officers before surrendering and was taken into custody, the outlet’s report states. Police also recovered a backpack that Lavea had tried to discard, and said a search of it revealed evidence consistent with marijuana sales.
Search Warrant Uncovers Machine Guns and Rifle Parts
Police obtained a warrant to search the residence and, once inside, found what the report describes as a significant collection of firearms, firearm components and ammunition, along with a large quantity of ammunition. The haul included two Spike’s Tactical AR-15-style firearms identified as machine guns, which were found in Kaeli Lavea’s room, per the same account.
Investigators also recovered five Anderson Manufacturing AR-15 lower receivers, two firearm scopes, two .40-caliber magazines and twelve .223-caliber magazines, some of which were loaded. The report does not specify whether the firearms were legally owned, loaded at the time of discovery, or registered.
Charges Against the Siblings
Israel Lavea was arrested on allegations that include felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, evading a peace officer by driving against traffic, resisting an officer, and possession of marijuana for sale. Kaeli Lavea was arrested on allegations of possession of a machine gun and possession of an assault weapon, the station reported…