Man accused of DUI, hiding gun from police

 

Ricardo Deleon Jr., 31, was arrested Sunday on suspected charges of driving under the influence and misconduct involving weapons.

Maricopa police conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Durango around 10 p.m. Sunday night after the vehicle was seen continuously going from one lane to the other on State Route 347. Officers stated the vehicle was “slow to stop” and was pulled over near Cobblestone Farms Drive.

Police identified the driver as Deleon and asked him if he had any weapons within the vehicle. He allegedly stated he did not. They asked him to exit the vehicle for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, again asking if he had any weapons on his person. Deleon claimed he had a pocketknife but believed it was in the vehicle.

Police patted Deleon down and located an empty handgun holster on his right side. When asked where the firearm was, he allegedly claimed he did not have one and denied officers consent to search his vehicle for the gun.

Upon completely the field sobriety test, Deleon displayed signs of impairment and was placed under arrest for DUI, according to the report. Deleon refused to provide a blood sample.

Deleon’s vehicle was towed from the scene, and inventory of the car’s contents was conducted. Officers allegedly discovered a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat that matched the holster worn by Deleon.

“Ricardo knowingly failed to accurately answer whether he possessed a weapon when I asked him during the initial contact,” the police report stated.

Deleon was booked into Pinal County Jail.