Crime & Safety

Gang Member Gives Gun to Girl, Tells Her to Run

Police arrested two gang members and grabbed a loaded handgun at a park Monday.

The police department's gang unit arrested two gang members, who also both are convicted felons, and seized a loaded .22-caliber handgun at on Main Street on Monday evening, Watsonville police reported.

Aaron Amescua, 25, and Jeronimo Carranza, 23, were hanging out in a car in the parking lot of the recreational center around 6:20 p.m. when officers came acrosss them and tried to search them, police said.

But before an officer could reach Amescua, who was in the driver's seat, he allegedly pulled a gun out of the waistband of his pants and tossed it toward a female passenger in the car. Police said he wanted her to run with the weapon.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cops took control of the situation, secured everyone and got the gun, police said.

Carranza, who is on parole, was arrested for a parole violation. Amescua was jailed for being a felon with a gun and ammunition, as well as gang charges.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The female passenger was not arrested. Police did not identify her.

It wasn't a good night to hang out at the park if you were looking for trouble. The police department's softball team took the field against the fire department's lineup at 6:30 p.m., so there was an entire squad of cops in the area.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.