COSTA MESA : Search of Car Yields 3 Rocket Launchers

A routine arrest of an unlicensed driver took a bizarre twist Friday when a search of the man’s car turned up three military rocket launchers, police said.

Police stopped the red 1984 Toyota Corolla about 11 a.m. at Orange and Del Mar avenues after a routine check of the license plate showed an outstanding warrant, Police Sgt. Bob Durham said.

When the driver could not produce identification, the officer searched the car and found the launchers lying in the trunk. The launchers--about the size of rifles--were unloaded, Durham said.

Durham said the devices appeared to be antitank rocket launchers.

“We don’t know where they’re from yet, but they’ve got the olive-drab military paint on (them),” he said. “We’ve already notified Camp Pendleton.”

John Thomas Lewis, 25, of Newport Beach was arrested on suspicion of possession of a destructive device. He was booked into Costa Mesa Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.