What started for Ripon Police as a vehicle displaying falsified registration tags Thursday night ended in a foot pursuit with a suspect with a loaded handgun in his pants pocket.

And officers found a trove of interesting items in his vehicle that hinted at other, more serious activities, in addition to a pound of processed marijuana.

Sione Tuakalau, 36, of Stockton, was observed by Ripon Police officers sitting inside of a vehicle of the Love’s Travel Plaza on Colony Road at 8:42 p.m. Upon further investigation the vehicle appeared to have falsified tags – prompting officers to make contact with the man.

While they were speaking with him, he took off of foot and ran for approximately 30 yards before an officer deployed his Taser device and momentarily incapacitated Tuakalau before taking him into custody.

During search of the suspect, officers located a located handgun in his pants pocket, and also found a driver’s license belonging to another person displayed in Tuakalau’s wallet. Once officers discovered his real identification, they learned that he was a previous felon that had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.

A search of the vehicle located a two-way radio, a security badge, a face shield, approximately one pound of processed cannabis, and car keys that were described as “shaved” – which allow for access to several different types of vehicles.

When being taken to the ground Tuakalau suffered minor injuries and an officer also suffered minor injuries during the struggle and the foot pursuit. The Ripon Consolidated Fire District responded to the scene and provided aid to the officer and the suspect. Tuakalau was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, and after medical clearance was granted he was taken to the San Joaquin County Jail where he was charged with being a felon in possession of a handgun and ammunition, possession of burglary tools, carrying a loaded firearm with a prior felony conviction, illegal possession of DMV documents, displaying false registration and resisting arrest. He is also being held on a previous charge of auto theft from another county.

Tuakalau is being held on $420,500 bail in the San Joaquin County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Department M1 of the Manteca branch of the San Joaquin County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 30 at 1:25 p.m. for arraignment.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.