Photo: Thomas Minjarez
EMERYVILLE — Two previously convicted felons driving around in a vehicle with illegal license plates got pulled over by police on February 28, searched, and then arrested on more serious weapons and drug charges.
An officer made the traffic stop for a vehicle code violation shortly before 7 a.m., near the corner of Horton Street and Mandela Parkway, as the license plates didn’t match with the vehicle.
Masoud Saberi
The officer ran an identity check on the driver, Thomas Minjarez (31) of Richmond, which revealed he’s required to submit to probationary searches.
During the search, suspected methamphetamine and a pipe for smoking it were found, along with a loaded firearm and a second ammunition magazine inside the vehicle.
The vehicle owner, 41-year-old Oakland resident Masoud Saberi, told police that he’s a publisher and that the (suspected) methamphetamine and the pipe belonged to him, according to police records.
Minjarez and Saberi were both subsequently arrested on five felony weapons charges: carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm, addict in possession of a firearm, possession of prohibited ammunition; and the manufacture, import, or sale of large capacity magazine.
Minjarez also charged with possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of marijuana for sale, and the sale or transportation of marijuana.
Minjarez was booked at the Glenn Dyer Detention Facility, where he’s being held in lieu of $185,000 bond. He was previously arrested seven other times on weapons and drug charges, among other offenses.
Saberi also faces additional charges for possession of a controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. He’s also being held at the Glenn Dyer jail, and bail for his release was set at $197,500. He was previously arrested five other times for drugs and other offenses.
