Fresno police arrest two gang members after finding firearms

Fresno police arrested two gang members after finding guns during a traffic stop.

Officers were patrolling the area of North Fresno Street and East Shields Avenue in central Fresno on Saturday when they watched the driver of a 2003 Chrysler commit a traffic violation.

Immediately after the Chrysler stopped, the right front passenger, Anthony Ramirez, got out and ran north. He tripped and fell a short distance from the car, dropping a .22 caliber revolver.

Ramirez, 25, was arrested along with the driver, Connie Contreras, 22, and rear passenger, Martin Contreras, 26. All are from Fresno.

Officers searched the Chrysler and found a loaded 9 mm Glock concealed inside a bowling ball bag in the back seat. The gun was reported stolen during a residential burglary in Fresno last year.

Ramirez and Martin Contreras were found to be gang members. Ramirez was on parole for drug and gang-related charges. He was booked into Fresno County Jail on suspicion of weapons violations and ammunition possession, parole violation and resisting arrest.

Martin Contreras was found to be a convicted felon. He was booked into jail for alleged felony weapons and ammunition possession charges.

Connie Contreras was released with a misdemeanor charge for evading officers.

This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Fresno police arrest two gang members after finding firearms."