IE Road Rage Incident Leads To Seizure Of Dozens Of Illegal Firearms, 20,000 Rounds Of Ammunition: CHP

RELANDS, CA — Authorities recovered dozens of illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition after an alleged road rage incident on the 10 Freeway near Redlands, the California Highway Patrol announced on Thursday.

On July 15, CHP responded to a report of an alleged road rage incident involving a Ford and a Nissan on the 10 Freeway near Live Oak Canyon Road. The driver of the Ford allegedly pulled up alongside the Nissan and pointed a handgun at the vehicle with occupants, according to the CHP.

The occupants gave authorities the Ford's license plate number. CHP officers searched the area but could not locate the Ford.

Investigators at CHP's Inland Division Investigative Services Unit later identified the driver as 55-year-old Robert Valdez of Yucaipa.

On August 4, authorities located Valdez and his vehicle in Redlands.

CHP said a high-risk enforcement stop was conducted and Valdez was taken into custody without incident.

CHP said during a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered a revolver, additional ammunition, and speed loaders.

Later that day, authorities served a search warrant at Valdez's home where they discovered about 20 illegal firearms, including assault rifles, AR-15-style rifles, long-range rifles, shotguns, and suppressed handguns.

Authorities seized the firearms and about 20,000 rounds of ammunition, which included armor-piercing rounds, multiple firearm suppressors, and about 15 firearm milling fixtures used to illegally manufacture and modify AR-15-style lower receivers, according to the CHP.

Valdez was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Central Detention Center on multiple charges, including brandishing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon and possession of a suppressor.