Loaded ‘Ghost Gun’ Seized In Peninsula Traffic Stop

PACIFICA, CA — An early Sunday afternoon traffic stop led to the arrest of a North Bay man in connection with the discovery of a loaded, unserialized “ghost gun,” Pacifica police said in a news release.

Rocio Maldonado, 28 of Ukiah, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and possession of a high-capacity magazine, according to police. Maldonado was later booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

An officer at around 12:03 p.m. Sunday initiated a traffic enforcement stop after observing a vehicle code violation, police said.

After determining Maldonado was driving on a suspended license, the officer found a concealed loaded firearm during an inventory search of the vehicle, police said.

“Upon inspection, the firearm was found to not contain a serial number, which is commonly known as a ‘ghost gun,’ police said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Pacifica Police Department at (650) 738-7314. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling the silent witness tip line at (650) 359-4444. Refer to case No. 23-0397.