An investigation into allegations of stalking led to the arrest of an Arroyo Grande man six days ago, Santa Maria police said Thursday.
Detectives investigating a complaint involving stalking identified the suspect as Thomas Simmons, 31, of Arroyo Grande.
Officers from the Arroyo Grande Police Department stopped Simmons while he was driving and handed him over to Santa Maria police on May 3
A search of his vehicle revealed an assault rifle with loaded high-capacity magazines, a loaded handgun and more ammunition, police said.
After obtaining a search warrant to check the man’s residence, officers determined Simmons also had various other firearms and ammunition.
He was arrested on suspicion of felony stalking and dissuading a witness, and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail.
Simmons remained in jail custody on Thursday with no bail.
In a Santa Barbara County Superior Court arraignment hearing Tuesday, Simmons pleaded not guilty to felony stalking and attempting to dissuade a witness.
Simmons was ordered to return to court Monday for the possible setting of a date for his preliminary hearing.
Santa Maria police requested that anyone with information on this or similar cases call Detective Cassandra Stowasser at 805.928.3781, ext. 2288.
Callers can also leave messages on the tip line at 805.928.3781, ext. 2677.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.