Suspect Arrested After Loaded Gun Falls From His Pants In North Bay

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 51-year-old man was arrested on multiple weapons and drug charges Sunday in Santa Rosa after a loaded gun fell from his waistband while being questioned by police on a neighbor's arrest warrant, authorities said.

Shortly before 10 p.m., police were on the 2300 block of Carson Street looking for an individual with an active felony arrest warrant when they stopped and spoke with Joshua Wagle, who was outside his residence, the Santa Rosa Police Department said.

Wagle initially said he did not know the person, but as SRPD officers walked away, he called out to officers to re-engage them about the wanted suspect, the department said.

"As Wagle was speaking with officers, a loaded, black handgun fell onto the ground," police said. "The handgun came from Wagle’s waistband."

Wagle, who has a prior felony conviction prohibiting him from possessing firearms, was detained and the gun was taken into custody, officials said.

The handgun had no registration or serial number, police said. A subsequent search of Wagle's residence turned up a non-serialized Polymer 9mm "ghost gun," and a non-serialized AR-15 rifle, along with suspected methamphetamine, anabolic steroids and fentanyl, police said.

Wagle was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for charges including: felon in possession of firearm; felon possessing ammunition; felony possession of a loaded firearm not by registered owner; felony possession of loaded concealed weapon; felony possession of assault rifle; and misdemeanor possession of suspected control substance for sale, authorities said.

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