Soquel Teen Suspected Of Gang Involvement, Weapons Possession

SOQUEL, CA -- Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies arrested an alleged gang member after allegedly finding a gun and ammunition while serving a search warrant at his home in unincorporated Santa Cruz County on Saturday. Deputies served the warrant at the home of Said Paredes-Cazares, 19, in the 2800 block of South Rodeo Gulch Road in Soquel around 1 p.m. Saturday, sheriff's officials said.

According to sheriff's officials, Paredes-Cazares is a known gang member. Deputies allegedly recovered an unregistered, loaded semi-automatic gun and an illegal large-capacity magazine under his mattress. Clothing at his home indicated his association to a well-known gang based in Santa Cruz, sheriff's officials said.

Paredes-Cazares was later arrested at his workplace on suspicion of possessing a large-capacity magazine, possessing a firearm as a gang member and participating in a criminal street gang.

Anyone with information on the case or any other gang-related activity is asked to call the sheriff's office at (831) 454-2320.

--Bay City News/Photo via Shutterstock