Crime & Safety

Gang Member Caught with Loaded .45, Arrested

Watsonville police made the bust when they stopped a truck with expired tags Saturday night.

A 43-year-old alleged gang member was arrested for weapons and drug charges Saturday night after police pulled over his truck for having expired tags, Watsonville police reported.

Alejandro Fernandez was stopped around 9:15 p.m. on Main Street and Riverside Drive. The officer reportedly smelled marijuana when he walked up to Fernandez's Ford pickup, according to Watsonville police. 

Fernandez was detained while he and his truck were searched. Officers reportedly found brass knuckles and a sharpened screwdriver on Fernandez. There was a loaded .45-caliber gun in the truck and marijuana in Fernandez's pocket, police said. 

Fernandez, allegedly identified as a gang member, was arrested on suspicion of weapons and drug charges, then booked into Santa Cruz County Jail.

Fernandez was just a few blocks from his West Front Street home when he was arrested, police reported.


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