SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Loaded guns, handcuffs, and a large machete. Those are just some of the items found inside a car in front of a bank in San Luis Obispo.
Police were able to arrest the man inside the car thanks to a tip from a bank employee.
Patsy Saba, owner of Cost Cutters salon in San Luis Obispo, says, "when we heard what had happened, we were just in shock."
Saba was caught by surprise this morning when she got word that an arrest was made right in front of her store in San Luis Obispo. 20-year old Turner Newman was arrested and booked in the county jail for carrying a concealed weapon and a loaded gun in a vehicle. Police found a loaded shotgun and handgun, but that wasn't all. Ammo, handcuffs, leg restraints, duct tape, zip ties, and a large machete were also found. SLO Police Lieutenant Jeff Smith says Newman's cargo could have done some damage.
"He definitely had enough firearms in his car to cause serious harm to somebody or multiple people," says Smith.
An employee at Heritage Oaks Bank saw Newman in his car when she came in for work early Wednesday morning. According to police, the employee said Newman got out of his car and made her nervous so she called 911. Police say that call could have potentially saved lives.
"Her observations, what she witnessed and then contacting the police department, were critical," says Smith.
Saba's shop has been open for 3 and a half years at the shopping center off Froom Ranch Way. She says she's never worried about what's inside the cars that are parked right outside her store.
"Never. We live in paradise here. It was just odd to hear that was the situation," says Saba.
Police say that Newman gave them permission to search his vehicle when they approached him. He openly told them that he did have guns in the car when they asked him.
