Anonymous
Source: Santa Maria Police Department
On Sunday, January 19, 2020, at about 2129 hours, a Santa Maria Police Officer saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Blosser Road from Donovan Road. As the officer was catching up to the speeding vehicle, a white BMW, the suspect, later identified as 38 year old Santa Maria resident Gerardo Hernandez Flores, ran the red light at Blosser and Cook Street. The officer was able to catch up to Flores and conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the area of S. Western Ave and Knudson. Flores was evaluated and arrested for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, as well as an outstanding warrant. During a search of Flores incident to arrest, he was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and over $1000 in cash.
At this point, SMPD K9 Rowdi began an open air sniff search around the vehicle. Rowdi alerted on the driver’s door and then alerted to an area beneath the dashboard. Upon furt her search of that area, officers discovered a hidden compartment that contained approximately 135 individual baggies of methamphetamine and cocaine, collectively weighing over 80 grams. The seized drugs had a street value of about $2300.00.
Flores was transported and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for a variety of charges, most notably possession of drugs for sales, driving under the influence and reckless driving. Flores’ bail was set at $250,000.00.
The money isn’t organized all face up. Doesn’t everyone count money that way?