Watsonville Man Suspected Of Gun Theft Arrested

WATONVILLE, CA — Police in Watsonville on Thursday arrested a man in connection with several crimes including possession of stolen firearms. Jim Rodriguez, 41, of Watsonville, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen firearms, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, possession of an illegal shotgun by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of burglary tools and possession of body armor by a prohibited person, according to the Watsonville Police Department.

On Thursday at 4:17 p.m., officers with the Watsonville Police Department, with the assistance of the Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Reduction Enforcement Team, served a search warrant for stolen firearms at Rodriguez's home.

Police said the search resulted in the seizure of nine firearms, various items of suspected stolen property, more than 20 pounds of marijuana packaged for sale, body armor and a high capacity magazine. The suspected stolen property seized included high-end bicycles, electronics and clothing, police said.

Investigators then searched a second residence for Rodriquez and seized an additional 21 firearms including a high-powered rifle, an illegal shotgun, a Taser and several handguns. One of the handguns was outfitted with a homemade silencer. Officers also located marijuana packaged for sale, suspected methamphetamine and suspected stolen construction equipment.

Some of the firearms recovered had recently been reported stolen from Markley's gun shop in Watsonville and from a local residential burglary.

By Bay City News

Photo via Renee Schiavone/ Patch