June 29, 2026 – San Benito County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on June 26, 2026, at about 8:30 A.M., Deputies responded to the San Benito riverbed in the area of Riverview Way after a suspicious vehicle was reported to be driving slowly through the neighborhood.

Deputies responded to the area to perform an area check and eventually located a vehicle matching the description, parked in a private property section of the San Benito Riverbed. As the subjects were contacted, they were uncooperative and ultimately detained.

During the contact, the driver was found to have a bag of suspected methamphetamine on him. During Deputies search of the vehicle, Deputies discovered a baggy of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, more suspected methamphetamine, and dozens of used needles. To top it all off, an unserialized, privately made short barrel rifle, commonly known as a “ghost gun”, was found inside the vehicle.

The driver was arrested for several felonies related to the narcotics and firearm he possessed. The passenger of the vehicle was arrested for trespassing on private property and has since been released.

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that the San Benito River cleanup project has been ongoing since April 2025. Phase 4 of the cleanup effort began in April 2026 and is currently ongoing.

As part of this ongoing project, Sheriff’s Office personnel continue to patrol the riverbed. Individuals found within the riverbed are considered to be trespassing and will be contacted by law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the public’s cooperation as these cleanup and enforcement efforts continue to improve public safety and protect the environment.

Source & photo: San Benito County Sheriff’s Office