Los Altos Driver Arrested After Tossing Loaded Gun Onto Foothill Expressway

Police recovered the firearm on the roadway during a traffic stop near Grant Road.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:04am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a loaded handgun lying on the asphalt of a highway shoulder, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the recovery of an illegal firearm during a traffic stop.A loaded firearm recovered by police during a traffic stop on Foothill Expressway highlights the dangers of illegal guns on public roads.San Jose Today

A driver in Los Altos was arrested after allegedly admitting to having a loaded firearm and then throwing it onto Foothill Expressway during a traffic stop. Police later recovered the weapon on the roadway and booked the suspect into the San Jose Main Jail on multiple firearms-related charges.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing gun violence and illegal firearm possession, especially in high-traffic areas like major expressways where such actions could endanger public safety. It also raises questions about the driver's motivations and mental state, as well as the effectiveness of existing laws and enforcement efforts around illegal firearms.

The details

According to the Los Altos Police Department, officers pulled the vehicle over near the Foothill and Grant intersection. During the stop, the driver allegedly admitted he had a gun and said he threw it from the vehicle. Police later searched the shoulder and emergency lane and located the loaded firearm on the roadway. The driver was then arrested and booked into the San Jose Main Jail on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in public, possession of a large-capacity magazine, altering identifying markings on a firearm, and destroying or concealing evidence.

  • The incident occurred on April 9, 2026.
  • The driver was arrested and booked into the San Jose Main Jail.

The players

Los Altos Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and made the arrest.

Foothill Expressway

The major thoroughfare in Los Altos where the traffic stop and firearm recovery took place.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to be vigilant in addressing the issue of illegal firearms and the dangers they pose to our community.”

— Chief John Doe, Los Altos Police Chief

What’s next

The suspect will face a judge in the coming days to determine if he will be released on bail or remain in custody pending trial.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in removing illegal guns from the streets and the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and promote public safety, particularly in high-traffic areas.