Man Suspected Of Possessing Guns, Drugs Arrested In Watsonville

WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville police Wednesday morning arrested a man on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and a loaded firearm, police said. Just after 7 a.m., officers approached two people in the parking lot of the Economy Inn at 584 Auto Center Drive.

According to police, one of the occupants, 18-year-old Esteban Montiel of Watsonville, told officers that he was arrested earlier this month for possessing a handgun. This, and other factors, prompted one of the
officers to search Montiel for weapons. Montiel was found with a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia
and a loaded and concealed handgun, police said.

Montiel was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance while armed with a firearm, and possessing drug paraphernalia, police said. Officers then searched Montiel's home and found additional drugs
they believed to be for personal use, police said.

Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to contact Watsonville police at (831) 768-3350 or call the Crime Tip Line at 831-768-3544.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone