Napa police arrest wanted man suspected of throwing guns from car

A San Mateo County man suspected of throwing a short-barreled assault rifle, ammunition and a loaded handgun from his car during a police chase was arrested Tuesday in Napa County in connection with an existing warrant and weapons charges.

Napa County sheriff’s deputies and Napa police arrested Howard Edejer, 33, who was wanted by San Francisco police in connection with two shootings.

Edejer was recognized by Napa detectives driving in an area of north Napa, where a sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop. Edejer fled, leading deputies and officers on a short pursuit. During the chase, an officer saw what later turned out to be a short-barreled AR-15 rifle, two high-capacity magazines and a 10 mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with tactical ammunition all thrown from the vehicle, Napa authorities said. The weapons and ammunition were recovered by officers. Body armor and a face mask also were recovered.

He faces a number of potential charges, including violation of parole from San Mateo County, in addition to separate counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of body armor. A passenger in the vehicle, Elsie Basulto, 25, of Napa, was arrested on suspicion of violating her probation.