Felon Arrested With Guns And Drugs In North County: Sheriff's Office

SAN MARCOS, CA — A felon was arrested after being found with two firearms in San Diego's North County, authorities said.

Deputies saw Manuel Vargas, 31, asleep behind the wheel of his car shortly after 3 a.m. Friday in the 1500 block of Linda Vista Drive in San Marcos, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Drug paraphernalia was seen inside the passenger compartment and Vargas was arrested, Sgt. Agustin Rosas said. During a search of the car, deputies also found drugs and two guns in a small case on the passenger floorboard.

The first firearm was an unserialized, privately manufactured, Glock-style, 9mm, black handgun. It was loaded and had a high-capacity magazine, according to Rosas. The second gun was an unloaded .22 LR Pietro Beretta semi-automatic handgun.

"During their investigation, deputies learned that Vargas was lawfully prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition," Rosas said.

Vargas was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of several charges, including carrying a loaded firearm in public, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a high-capacity magazine and possession of narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia.