Suspected Gang Member Cuffed, Weapons Recovered In SGV

POMONA, CA – A 19-year-old gang member was in custody Thursday after a traffic stop that turned up two firearms led to a search of his home that revealed him to be in possession of more weapons, including an assault rifle, police said.

Officers with Pomona's gang enforcement say they observed a speeding black 2014 Honda Accord in the area of San Bernardino Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon and followed the vehicle before stopping it in Montclair.

During the traffic stop, officers were able to gain access into the vehicle where two loaded firearms were recovered, according to Pomona Police Corp. J. Martinez. The driver, Angel Arellano, confessed to possessing the firearms and also admitted to being a Pomona gang member, Martinez said.

"Due to Arellano's admittance to being a Pomona gang member, coupled with his confession to possessing two firearms, officers believed Arellano may be concealing additional weapons within his residence," Martinez said.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Arellano's residence located in the 800 block of Boston Place around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The search turned up three additional firearms including an illegal assault rifle, Martinez said. Other illegal items recovered included a high- capacity magazine, several live ammunition rounds, brass knuckles and gang paraphernalia, according to Martinez.

As a result of the traffic stop and search warrant, Arellano was booked at the Pomona city jail on suspicion of being a gang member in possession of a loaded firearm and ammunition, possessing an unregistered firearm and possessing an assault rifle, Martinez said.

A family member of Arellano, identified as 39-year-old George Cortes, was contacted at the residence during the search and also was placed under arrest for an unrelated outstanding arrest warrant, Martinez added.

Arellano is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at Pomona Superior Court on Monday, according to online sheriff's inmate records.

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--City News Service/Image via Pomona PD