Cops: Man with fake gun busted after dumping drugs

The gun he was carrying down the street turned out to be a replica, but it was enough to alert Sheriff’s deputies Friday afternoon in Sonoma.

The man was questioned and detained near Verano Avenue and Highway 12. Deputies conducted a search of the area and found in a nearby garbage can several illicit items: a BB gun, a red “demon-type mask,” a small baggie of meth, and foil with burn marks (a tell-tale drug smoking device).

The man, who was on probation, admitted to possessing the BB gun and said he intended to use it for target practice, but denied ownership of the other objects. “He was later examined and found to be under the influence of a controlled substance,” according to the Sheriff’s report on the September 14 incident.

The suspect was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for: Unlawful display of imitation firearm in public; Under the influence of a controlled substance; possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine); Possession of drug paraphernalian; and Violation of probation.