A couple is behind bars after being arrested on similar charges in two separate cases.
On November 15, police ran a check on three vehicles that did not have license plates, one of which was identified as a Lexus RC350.
Behind the wheel was Shaylene Valentine, a woman who was previously convicted of robbery and other charges in 2014, according to court documents.
Police say Valentine agreed to a search of the vehicle, saying there was nothing hidden in the car.
But police reported discovering a black Glock Pistol with portions of the serial number obliterated and ammunition.
Valentine told police that the vehicle belonged to a man identified only by first name as “Alex,” and that he had left to retrieve a tire for the vehicle. But according to police, “Alex” was not identified as the vehicle’s owner and the gun was reported stolen seven months ago.
Police noted that Valentine was the suspect of an assault investigation in which the victim told police that she was struck on the head “with what appeared to be a gun.” However, no description of the gun was provided, the victim stating she was unable to get a good look at the gun. The incident was reported last month.
For the new case, Valentine also told police that she had arrived at the vehicle with her boyfriend Jesse Pinaula.
Pinaula was arrested that same day for a different unregistered firearm and a motorcycle without a license plate.
Pinaula’s magistrate complaint stated that the motorcycle was initially reported stolen but police were able to later confirm that the owner did sell the motorcycle to Pinaula.
The complaint further states that Pinaula and the motorcycle were brought to the central precinct command before the information was confirmed.
A secondary check of the motorcycle revealed that a black Canik TP9SFx firearm along with 18 9-millimeter bullets and a magazine were located in the rear seat compartment of the motorcycle.
Although police confirmed that the firearm was sold or traded by the current registered owner last December, Pinaula is not allowed to possess a firearm.
The magistrate complaint indicates that he is on pre-trial release and was ordered not to possess firearms on January 17.
Based on this, Pinaula was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm as a third-degree felony and vehicle without identification.
Valentine was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm without identification and vehicle without identification.
Both were booked and confined.
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