Crime

Three gang members arrested in Fresno on weapons charges

By Chueyee Yang
Officers found illegal drugs, brass knuckles, cash, a digital scale and a firearm in the vehicle Jose Cruz, 22, of Fresno was driving Saturday morning, Fresno police said.
Officers found illegal drugs, brass knuckles, cash, a digital scale and a firearm in the vehicle Jose Cruz, 22, of Fresno was driving Saturday morning, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Four people – including three gang members – were arrested Friday and Saturday morning on weapons charges, Fresno police said.

Officers went to the 2500 block of South East Avenue at 1:12 a.m. Friday for a disturbance involving a man and woman. Police said Christopher Alvarez, 33, was searched by officers who found a loaded handgun hidden in his waistband.

Christopher Alvarez, 33, was arrested Friday, Jan. 26 on charges of criminal threats, brandishing a firearm, parole violation and being an ex-felon in possession of a loaded handgun, Fresno police said.
Christopher Alvarez, 33, was arrested Friday, Jan. 26 on charges of criminal threats, brandishing a firearm, parole violation and being an ex-felon in possession of a loaded handgun, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police said he pointed the gun at the female and threatened to kill her.

Alvarez is a gang member from Compton and was on parole for carjacking at the time of the disturbance. He was arrested on multiple felony charges such as brandishing a firearm, parole violation and being an ex-felon in possession of a loaded handgun, police said.

At 12:29 a.m. Saturday, officers were patrolling the area of Huntington and Backer avenues when they made a traffic stop on a vehicle for a code infraction.

Adrian Jerry Montejano, 28, was arrested Saturday, Jan. 27 on multiple weapons-related charges, Fresno police said.
Adrian Jerry Montejano, 28, was arrested Saturday, Jan. 27 on multiple weapons-related charges, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police said Adrian Jerry Montejano, 28, a member of the Calwa Vario Loco Fresno Bulldog gang, was driving on a suspended or revoked driver license for failure to appear in court and was on felony probation. Officers found two loaded handguns under the driver seat, including one that had been reported stolen.

Montejano was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on multiple weapons-related charges, police said.

About two hours later, officers were patrolling the area of Kaviland and Rowell avenues when officers noticed a traffic violation by the driver of a pickup heading north on Rowell.

Police said Jose Cruz, 22, of Fresno, an Asian Boyz gang member, was driving without a license. Alma Pacheco, 23, was identified as the passenger.

Jose Cruz, 22, of Fresno was booked into the Fresno County Jail on Saturday, Jan. 27 on several counts of narcotics for sales and weapons charges, Fresno police said.
Jose Cruz, 22, of Fresno was booked into the Fresno County Jail on Saturday, Jan. 27 on several counts of narcotics for sales and weapons charges, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alma Pacheco was booked into the Fresno County Jail on Saturday, Jan. 27 on several counts of narcotics for sales and weapons charges, Fresno police said.
Alma Pacheco was booked into the Fresno County Jail on Saturday, Jan. 27 on several counts of narcotics for sales and weapons charges, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

With consent from the driver, officers searched the truck and found illegal drugs, brass knuckles, cash, a digital scale and a firearm.

Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on several counts of narcotics for sales and weapons charges.

Chueyee Yang: 559-441-6447, @chueyee15

This story was originally published January 27, 2018 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Three gang members arrested in Fresno on weapons charges."

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