October 20, 2020, the Gridley Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a black Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of State route 99, just north of Cherry Street for a vehicle code violation. During the initial contact with the driver, Officers could see sitting in plain sight on the dashboard was a baseball type cap that had the insignia of “FBI” in large white lettering. Officers also noted the Tahoe was set up as though it was being used as a current or former law enforcement service vehicle.

Officers engaged the driver, whom identified himself as Aaron Joseph Anderson, with a State of Georgia drivers license, in conversation. During this conversation, Anderson advised Officers he was a “Special Agent hunting a violent pedophile”. Anderson also advised Officers that he had peppery spray, a taser and additional weapons in the vehicle at that time. Officers also noted Anderson had a set of handcuffs in his waistband.

Through additional conversation with Officers, it was determined that Anderson was in fact not a “Special Agent” as he previously stated. Anderson was detained and a probable cause search of the Tahoe was conducted for any additional items of contraband that could be related to Anderson stating he was a “Special Agent”.

Located inside the Tahoe was a replica sawed off shotgun, a Billy club, 68 caliber rubber bullets, numerous CO2 cartridges, a large machete, and a taser flashlight. Anderson was arrested and transported to GPD for further investigation.

While Officers conducted a further investigation of Anderson, an online news article was located that stated Anderson was arrested by the Bakersfield Police Department October 17^, 2020 for shooting individuals at a President Trump Rally with rubber bullets. GPD contacted the Bakersfield Police Department who stated after Anderson was arrested, he was transported to a local hospital but had escaped and there were in the process of authorizing an arrest warrant for Anderson.