DENVER (KDVR) — What started as an investigation into an unreadable license plate ended with the seizure of a stolen gun and drugs.

“Just a little hint to the criminals out there, trying to obscure your license plate only makes it more suspicious to law enforcement,” said the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on X.

On Saturday afternoon, deputies were alerted to what they called a suspicious car parked in a Target parking lot on County Line Road in Highlands Ranch. Deputies said the car may have been involved in a criminal case in another jurisdiction on Friday.

Once the driver and a passenger returned to the car, deputies confronted them.

When deputies ordered the female driver and male passenger to get out of the car, the sheriff’s office said the female complied, but the man did not.

After ignoring several demands, the sheriff’s office said the man finally complied.

However, when deputies searched the car they said they discovered why their commands weren’t followed. The sheriff’s office said deputies found a handgun, ammunition and drugs. Deputies said the firearm was stolen.

“What turned out to be a license plate that was unreadable turned into drugs and a gun being taken off the street,” said the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on X.

According to the sheriff’s office, the man is 40 years old and from Pueblo. He was taken into custody where he faces charges of possession of a weapon by a previous offender, theft, obstruction and drug possession.