SRPD K9 Ghost detects firearm in vehicle during traffic stop

On November 28, 2023, at approximately 5:30 pm, Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Officer Gonzalez-Campos and his K9 partner, Ghost, conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the 300-block of Dutton Avenue. When Officer Gonzalez-Campos approached the pick-up truck, he could see what appeared to be the handle of a knife sticking out from under the driver’s right leg. Believing the driver may have a weapon in his immediate possession, the driver was asked to exit the vehicle and was then patted down for weapons. After the driver was pat searched, the officer was able to see that the item the driver had concealed under his leg was a screwdriver. 

While continuing with the traffic enforcement contact, Officer Gonzalez-Campos learned the driver was on probation and a convicted felon, therefore, prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. K9 Ghost then performed an “open-air search” of the truck. An open-air search is a sniff-search of the area around a vehicle or object such as a piece of luggage at an airport or other public place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Police canines must be specially trained and certified to conduct these searches, which could be for narcotics or firearms. K9 Ghost, who received his certification in firearms detection several months ago, is trained to detect the odor of a firearm and odors specifically associated with firearms, such as ammunition powder and more. 

During the open-air search, K9 Ghost alerted near the driver’s door of the truck. When advised by Officer Gonzalez-Campos that K9 Ghost detected a firearm-related scent in his vehicle, the driver consented to a search of the truck. In a large toolbox in the bed of the truck behind the cab, Officer Gonzalez-Campos located a rifle in a black plastic bag. The rifle, a semi-automatic SKS-style rifle, was loaded with eight live rounds. 

The driver, Jose Torrestepuri, a 27-year-old resident of Boyes Hot Springs, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following charges:

29800(a)(1) PC - Felon in possession of a firearm 

25400(a)(1) PC - Carry concealed firearm in a vehicle

30305(a)(1) PC - Prohibited person in possession of ammunition 

25850(a) PC - Carry loaded firearm in a public place

1203.2(a) PC - Violation of probation

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-15072.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Patricia Seffens
Public Information Officer
707-543-3634
pseffens@srcity.org