Fresno man arrested on weapons, drug charges for second time in a week

A Fresno man was arrested Thursday after police say they found methamphetamine and a loaded handgun in his car — less than one week after he was arrested on nearly identical charges.

Fresno police Sgt. James Fowler said that Renny Saldivar, 33, was pulled over near Ashlan and Blackstone avenues for driving a vehicle with no visible tail lights. Police learned Saldivar’s license was suspended, and he was arrested.

An impound search of Saldivar’s car yielded a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a large amount of methamphetamine, Fowler said. Police also found more drugs and $900 in cash after searching Saldivar.

Fowler said Saldivar is a known Bulldog gang member and a felon prohibited from having a gun.

The arrest came just five days after Saldivar was arrested on similar charges in central Fresno.

On Saturday, Saldivar allegedly led police on a brief high speed chase near Ashlan and Palm avenues before abandoning his vehicle. He was arrested while walking away from where police found the car at Cortland and Fruit avenues.

Fresno police Sgt. James Hoagland said a search of that vehicle turned up 4 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, 1 pound of marijuana, about $1,000 in cash and a loaded handgun later determined to be stolen. Police also located personal documents and a cell phone tying Saldivar to that vehicle.

Saldivar was booked on multiple drug possession and weapons charges in both cases.

This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Fresno man arrested on weapons, drug charges for second time in a week."