Loaded AR-15 Found Accessible To Children At Man's Home Following Road Rage: Police

MENLO PARK, CA —A Menlo Park man is facing child endangerment and weapons charges after a road rage investigation led detectives to his home, where they found a loaded AR-15-style rifle and a loaded handgun within reach of children, the Redwood City Police Department said.

Jason Howk Chin, 43, was arrested Wednesday following a months-long investigation that began with a Feb. 11 incident at the Costco in Redwood City. According to police, the confrontation escalated in the parking lot when Chin approached another driver, exposed a firearm tucked in his waistband, and made a threatening statement.

Surveillance footage confirmed the victim's account and helped investigators identify Chin as the suspect, police said.

Officers said they attempted to contact Chin the night of the incident, but he declined to speak with investigators. Detectives said they obtained a search warrant for Chin, his home and his vehicles.

On Wednesday, detectives said they located Chin driving away from his Menlo Park residence and conducted a traffic stop. His wife and two children were also in the car. The family was cooperative and was not detained.

A search of the car turned up a concealed loaded firearm, police said.

Detectives said they then found a loaded AR-15-style assault rifle and a loaded handgun sitting on an exposed lower shelf inside a bedroom shared by adults and children — and containing numerous children's toys.

Chin was booked into San Mateo County's Maguire Correctional Facility on charges of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle and child endangerment, police said.