Crime & Safety

Meth, Weapons Found During Berkeley Traffic Stop

A later search of the man's home turned up more weapons.

Police say these weapons were seized from Arturo Frisch Avila
Police say these weapons were seized from Arturo Frisch Avila (Berkeley Police)

BERKELEY, CA —A 36-year-old Berkeley man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly being in possession of a homemade handgun and part of an assault rifle during a traffic stop, according to police.

Police said the suspect, identified on the city's website as Arturo Frisch Avila, was stopped at 11:57 p.m. Saturday in the area of Sixth Street and University Avenue. An initial investigation determined that the vehicle's license plate was registered to another vehicle.

A search of the vehicle found the loaded handgun, the assault rifle part, as well as methamphetamine and other weapons in his vehicle, according to police.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Police said a search of the driver's home found ammunition, high-capacity rifle magazines and one more handgun.

Avila is currently being held at the Santa Rita Jail on $230,000 bail, per jail records. His next scheduled court appearance - a pretrial hearing - is Monday at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland at 9 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

— Bay City News

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