Hemet traffic stop leads to arrest of felon with a loaded firearm
David Palmer was arrested while in possession of a loaded firearm after a traffic stop in Hemet.
HEMET – Following a traffic stop Thursday, May 12, officers from the Hemet Police Department arrested a convicted felon for possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm.
Following an investigation, officers arrested David Silas Palmer, 49, of Hemet. He was later booked into county jail.
Just before 11 p.m., a Hemet Police officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a gray Mercedes for a traffic violation in the 300 block of N. State St. The officer contacted the driver of the Mercedes, David Palmer of Hemet. As the officer was speaking to Palmer, the officer noticed the handle of a handgun sticking out of the space
“As the officer was speaking to Palmer, the officer noticed the handle of a handgun sticking out of the space between the driver’s seat and the center console. Palmer was detained without incident,” according to a police official.
The officer’s investigation revealed that the gun was a fully loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol that had not been registered. The officer conducted a records check that revealed Palmer is a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Based on their investigation and recovered firearm, officers arrested Palmer was arrested and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.
A jail records search indicated Palmer was booked for suspicion of being felon in possession of a firearm and enhancements for prior serious felony convictions. Palmer was released the next day after posting $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 27 at an unspecified court.
Hemet Police officials remind all citizens they are encouraged to report any suspicious or criminal activity and have several ways anonymous tips can be filed with the department, including the department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (866) 640-TIPS (8477). Additionally, online tips can be submitted anonymously through crimestoppersplus and Facebook.
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