A Sacramento man was arrested after officers say a vehicle fled when they approached and the driver ran on foot, touching off a perimeter and a multi‑unit search. Officers later recovered an illegally possessed handgun inside the abandoned car and an unlawfully short‑barreled rifle nearby. The suspect was identified as 19‑year‑old Jamani Townsel of Sacramento and was taken into custody on resisting‑arrest and multiple weapons charges.
Police account of the pursuit and arrest
According to the Sacramento Police Department, officers responded to reports of a suspicious person and — when they went to speak with a vehicle’s occupants — the car drove off and the driver fled on foot. A perimeter was established, and the department adds, “Thanks to the great coordination between our patrol officers, K-9, and Air Unit,” the suspect was located in the 10 block of Salt Court and arrested; officers located an illegally possessed handgun in the abandoned vehicle and an illegally possessed short‑barreled rifle nearby.
Short‑barreled rifles and legal risks
Short‑barreled rifles are prohibited under California law; possession, manufacture or importation can bring jail time under Penal Code §33215. Federally, similar weapons fall under the National Firearms Act and are regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If the rifle recovered was not lawfully authorized or registered it could add serious state and federal exposure for the person in possession.
Investigation and next steps
The department says the case remains under investigation and that charging decisions will be handled by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. Townsel was arrested on resisting‑arrest and “various weapons charges,” the department’s post notes; the agency did not include additional booking or arraignment details in its update. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sacramento Police Department.
