Crime & Safety
Gang Member Arrested with Loaded Gun
Desmond Martinez was taken into custody by the gang task force.
A 20-year-old gang member was arrested in Santa Cruz County for possession of a loaded firearm Wednesday evening, according to the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force.
At about 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday members of the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force arrested Desmond Martinez, of Watsonville, near Pinto Lake, just north of Watsonville.
The Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force, including a deputy from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office and an officer from the Watsonville Police Department, conducted a traffic stop on Martinez on Green Valley Road at Behler Road.
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The task force members saw open containers of alcohol and smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a concealed and loaded handgun. Martinez was also found to be in possession of ammunition.
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Martinez was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for gang participation and possession of a loaded and concealed firearm within a vehicle, according to the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force.
This is the 10th firearm seized by the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force in 2013.
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