Riverside, CA – A seemingly routine traffic stop took a wildly unexpected turn last night as Officer Ben Barber, a probationary member of the Riverside Police Department, employed a highly unorthodox method of delivering a warning: a fully weaponized taco delivery. The incident, which occurred on Maple Street, has prompted a departmental review and raised questions about protocol and, frankly, common sense.

Initial reports indicate that Officer Barber was responding to a minor speeding violation when he encountered a vehicle driven by Marcus Finn, a local car enthusiast known for his… spirited driving. According to witnesses, Barber attempted to issue a citation, but Finn, reportedly agitated and arguing with his passenger, responded with a string of colorful insults. “He was yelling about how he ‘doesn’t need a badge’ and that ‘tacos are the solution to everything’,” recounted Maria Sanchez, who was waiting at the bus stop across the street. “It was… intense.”

Then, without warning, Officer Barber produced a large, foil-covered taco, seemingly from his patrol car. He proceeded to launch it at Finn’s vehicle, striking the rear bumper with considerable force. The taco, reportedly filled with a mixture of seasoned beef, salsa, and a substantial quantity of chili peppers, caused significant damage to the vehicle’s paintwork.

“Honestly, I thought he was joking at first,” admitted Officer Diaz, a fellow officer who witnessed the event. “But then he just kept launching more tacos. It was… a lot. He had, like, a whole cooler full.”

The incident resulted in Finn’s arrest for resisting an officer and, surprisingly, a charge of vandalism. Barber is currently under investigation for violating department policy regarding the use of force and potentially, excessive condiment deployment.

“I just wanted to get the message across,” Barber stated during a brief statement to reporters. “Look, sometimes you gotta get creative. And honestly, those peppers are *really* effective.”

The Riverside Police Department has issued a statement urging officers to “remain calm and adhere to established procedures,” while simultaneously admitting that they “haven’t quite figured out how to handle this situation.” The department is considering implementing a new training module focused on “non-lethal, flavorful persuasion.”