Two arrested after routine traffic stop turns up weapons, bullet proof vests



Photos courtesy of PCSO  Weapons seized during routine traffic stop

 Pinal County Sheriff's deputy spots vehicle driving on white line, license plate poorly lit - initiates traffic stop that results in arrest of two, seizure of guns and bullet proof vests 

Edmundo Romo, 31, of Tempe and Alexandra Arellano, 32, of Phoenix

On Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:32 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff's deputy observed a 1996 Honda Accord eastbound on I-8 near Murphy Road striking the white fog line on the road. The vehicle also had a license plate lamp that did not illuminate the plate properly.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and a passenger in the vehicle fled the scene on foot into the desert. The driver, Alexandra Arellano, 32, of Phoenix, and a backseat passenger, Edmundo Romo, 31, of Tempe,  remained with the vehicle and were handcuffed, questioned and arrested.

According to a Pinal County Sheriff's Office press release, Arellano told the deputy that there were weapons in the vehicle. A search of the car turned up a 7.62 caliber rifle and a .380 caliber handgun, both chambered with a round of ammunition, and body armor and a bullet proof vest.

A K-9 search of the area failed to turn up the suspect who had fled the scene.