Man Arrested In Watsonville On Suspicion Of Possessing Gun, Drugs

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A 37-year-old Salinas man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm as a felon and transporting and possessing a controlled substance for sale on Friday in Watsonville, according to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team. Police said Jonathan Alvarez, 37, of Salinas, was arrested during a traffic stop of a vehicle he was a passenger in.

According to police, gang task force officers pulled over a green Jaguar in front of the Metro Bus Station at 475 Rodriguez St. after officers noticed the registration tags had been expired for more than six years.
Police said as they prepared to tow the vehicle, Alvarez was asked if he had any weapons on him. He allegedly told officers that he had a "piece of metal", or what officers found to be a 7.62-milimeter caliber Mauser
semi-automatic handgun, in his waistband.

Officers also saw that he was wearing body armor. Officer found Alvarez had 18.5 grams of heroin and 15.5 grams of methamphetamine in his possession during a search while he was being taken into custody, police said.

Alvarez was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. The driver of the vehicle, who was not named, was released at the scene and cited for an expired registration.

By Bay City News

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