Probation Search Yields Guns, Gorilla Mask

WATSONVILLE - A Watsonville officer's decision to proactively search a known probationer led police to the man's personal stash that included guns and a gorilla mask, according to authorities.

Police say 28-year-old Javier Chavez was spotted by a Watsonville Police officer assigned to the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force on March 3 about 12:25 p.m. as he walked in the Jack in the Box parking lot located at 1085 South Green Valley Rd.

As other officers arrived for backup, police say Chavez was contacted and searched as part of a probation compliance check.

Watsonville officers say they located approximately 4.7 grams of suspected Methamphetamine that Chavez allegedly possessed, and a rifle and loaded shotgun inside his vehicle.

Police say they also found a gorilla mask, ammunition, and a California Department of Corrections uniform shirt that did not belong to Chavez.

Javier Chavez was charged with being a felon in possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm.

-images via Watsonville PD Facebook page