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SLCPD Liberty Bike Squad Recovers Illegally Possessed Gun and Cocaine

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department Liberty Division Bike Squad recently arrested a 21-year-old man accused of illegally possessing a gun and illegal drugs in the Ballpark neighborhood.

“Our officers are relentless in their pursuit to eliminate illegally possessed guns and drugs in our community,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “Getting this gun and these drugs off of our streets works to reduce violent crime and protects some of our most vulnerable community members struggling with addiction.”

This investigation started at 1:23 p.m., on Thursday, January 26, 2023, when an officer assigned to the Liberty Division Bike Squad stopped a car for a violation near 1700 South Edison Street.

While speaking with the driver, later identified as Alano Rios, officers smelled marijuana coming from the car.

During the investigation, officers recovered a loaded gun from Rios’ waistband and marijuana while taking him into custody.

Because of the illegal drugs found, Rios is restricted from possessing a gun.

While being booked into jail, officers found multiple baggies of cocaine in Rios’ possession.

Officers booked Rios into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on one felony count of Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribution, one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance within a Correctional Facility, and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Marijuana.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Photos of the gun and cocaine are being released. Media may use these photos with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

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