Media Contact: Sgt. Hauptmann
Office: 818-937-8888
Cell: 818-299-1565
Email: GPDPIO@Glendaleca.gov 

Males Arrested in Possession of Loaded Handguns

On July 16, 2021, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a Glendale PD patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling approximately 100 MPH on the 210-freeway and conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle. The officer contacted the driver, identified as 19-year-old Gabriel Michel of Palmdale, regarding the violation. Michel admitted that he was speeding and also stated he was unlicensed. While speaking with Michel, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle.

A records check of Michel revealed his driver’s license had been suspended. An additional officer arrived on scene to assist and officers asked Michel and the front passenger, later identified as 20-year-old Christopher Smith of Palmdale, to exit the vehicle. Smith did not have identification on him and told officers his name was, “Tristen Thompson.”

During a search of the vehicle, officers located two loaded handguns with no serial numbers on them along with marijuana. Both Michel and Smith denied knowing that there were two loaded firearms in the vehicle and both were arrested and booked for illegal possession of a firearm in a vehicle. Michel was also arrested for driving on a suspended license. Just prior to being booked, Smith admitted he had lied about his name and provided his true identity. Smith was additionally booked for providing false identification to an officer.