Police surprise pair asleep in stolen car, seize assault rifle
Officers found the loaded assault rifle during a car search, Berkeley police said, as well as "an assortment" of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.
Police found a loaded assault rifle in a stolen car during an arrest in South Berkeley early Sunday morning, authorities report.
Berkeley police said they tried to stop the stolen car on two recent occasions, but the driver fled from officers and managed to evade capture.
On Sunday, two BPD officers on patrol got an alert advising them of the stolen Dodge Challenger nearby, police said.
A different officer found the car parked at Dover and 62nd streets, police said.
Officers used their vehicles to pin in the car.
Then they ordered the occupants — who had been sleeping — out of the Dodge at gunpoint, authorities said.
When police searched the car, they found the loaded assault rifle as well as "an assortment" of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.
The arrested individuals were identified as Rodolfo Cerritos, 32, and Brittany Cullison, 34, both of Oakland.
They were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of the assault rifle and other illegal goods, according to booking records.
Cerritos is also on parole and was arrested on suspicion of parole violation. As a result, he is ineligible for release on bail.
Cullison is being held on $212,500 bail, according to booking records.
They are scheduled for arraignment Wednesday morning at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
Berkeley police have seized at least 59 guns this year, including 15 unserialized ghost guns, according to department data.
Update: The Scanner added booking photos and a photograph of the assault rifle to this story after publication when they were provided by BPD.
