Police seize nearly 12 pounds of marijuana from rental car reported stolen

Burbank police seized roughly 12 pounds of marijuana early Friday morning during a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle, police said.

Shortly after 3 a.m., police were alerted by their automated license plate reader that a car on Hollywood Way and Magnolia Boulevard was stolen, according to Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.

The passenger, Daniel Hawkins, 32, allegedly failed to return the rental car, which was due back on May 19. After unsuccessfully trying to reach him, the company on July 15 reported the car stolen to police in Redlands.

In the car, police reportedly found the drugs, which Hawkins said belonged to him, as well as a “significant” amount of cash, Losacco said.

The driver, a 30-year-old woman, was detained at the scene and released.

Hawkins was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and transportation of marijuana.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek