WATSONVILLE, Calif. - Authorities say a suspected gang member was arrested after being caught with a loaded gun in Watsonville Wednesday evening.

They say the suspect -- identified as 32-year-old Manuel Cabazuela -- is on probation after being arrested and convicted last year of possession of a loaded stolen firearm by a felon, participation in a gang and assault with a deadly weapon.

It all started at about 5 p.m. when two Santa Cruz County Task Force members contacted two suspected gang members sitting in a car in a parking lot in the 300 block of East Lake Avenue.

Officers tried to conduct a compliance search, but they say Cabazuela became resistive and was subsequently wrestled to the ground. During the scuffle, officers say he threw a loaded handgun onto the ground.

Date/Time
Date(s) - Thursday, April 11, 2013
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location
Watsonville Public Library Main Branch

Celebrate National Poetry Month and the release of Patrice Vecchione’s new book, The Knot Untied, at our Poetry Reading Series and Open Mic event.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. - Watsonville Police say two men who were involved in a bar fight last Saturday may face charges.

Police say 40-year-old Frank Ibarra and 27-year-old Benjamin Chavez are suspects in a fight at Jalisco's restaurant on Main Street.

Investigators say Ibarra was ordering drinks at the bar when Chavez attacked him from behind, delivering several blows to his head and face. Ibarra was able to defend himself and fought back. The fight was broken up, and Chavez was kicked out of the bar.

A short time later, police say the two men found each other outside the bar and another fight ensued. When police arrived, they found Chavez lying on the ground with unknown injuries, and he was unresponsive to officers' questions. He was flown to a Bay Area hospital for further evaluation. Ibarra remained near the scene and was contacted by law enforcement and provided a statement.