If you’re going to carry illegal guns or drugs in your vehicle, it’s probably best to obey all traffic laws. 

On Monday, the Manteca Police Department stopped two motorists for observed traffic violations and discovered an illegally concealed 9 mm handgun, and heroin that was packaged for sale. The discoveries were made in separate vehicles conducted at separate times – arresting those in possession of the items. 

According to the Manteca Police Department, the onset of warmer temperatures where more people are outside for a longer period of time means that they’ll continue to be proactive in working to remove illegal drugs and firearms from the community before they can be used to hurt somebody. 

The arrests on Monday marked the second time in a week that Manteca Police officers have had a dealing with a gun. 

On May 9, officers responded to the 1000 block of E. Yosemite Ave. after receiving a report of a white male carrying a backpack that potentially contained a gun. When Manteca Police Department detectives responded to the scene, they contacted Kyle Wilcoxon – who fit the description that was called in to dispatch – and took him into custody without incident. Because of the nature of the call, the Community Service Officers locked down nearby Lincoln Elementary School as a precaution. 

A search of the backpack revealed that the gun that was reported to police was a replica toy gun with the orange safety tip removed. Wilcoxon was arrested for altering an imitation firearm, and for disobeying a lawful court order. 

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.