SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz man was arrested Friday during a traffic stop after police found a stolen gun in his backpack, Santa Cruz County Anti-Gang Taskforce (SCCACT) Commander George Rivera said.
Clyde Lucio Ortega, 24, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon while in a criminal street gang and possession of a stolen weapon. He also faces drug charges.
Ortega was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
According to Rivera, SCCACT agents stopped a black Chrysler 300 on Pacific Avenue and Front Street in Santa Cruz at about 8:15 p.m. The passenger, identified as Ortega, is a known gang member.
A search revealed 3.4 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded .44-caliber revolver that was reported stolen out of San Mateo County.
The officers used a warrant to search Ortega’s residence on the 100 block of Sycamore Street, but found no other contraband, Rivera said.
