5 Gang Members Arrested In Watsonville; Drugs, Guns Seized

WATSONVILLE, CA — The Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, a division of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, arrested five gang members and seized multiple guns and drugs last week, the team announced.

On the week of Feb. 14, SCCAT agents arrested Enrique Ortiz, Angel Ortiz, Fernando Carranza and Isiah Rueles on unrelated cases. All four were identified as gang members on probation or parole, according to KSBW.

On Friday, SCCACT agents near Freedom Boulevard and Stanford Street saw a passenger in a vehicle who resembled a known Norteño gang participant advertised in a Post Release Community Release.

Agents conducted a traffic stop at Tuttle and Hill avenues, and recognized the passenger as Greg Arias. SCCACT said that Arais began reaching under his seat and did not follow orders to stop moving. He then fled from his car down Tuttle Avenue and onto Hill Avenue.

Fearing Arias was armed and that he might run into an open residence, an SCCACT agent deployed a taser. Arias was then taken into custody.

Officers say they found a loaded, non-serialized, 9 millimeter gun, an extra loaded magazine, and over 35 grams of methamphetamine on Arias’ person. During a search of Arias’ vehicle, agents say they found an unloaded .357 revolver, and a large amount of cannabis, concentrated cannabis, and digital scales.

In Arias’ Watsonville home, SCCACT and the Watsonville Police Department Special Investigation Unit and the Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Task Force, where they found a loaded pistol grip sawed-off shotgun, body armor, and a police scanner.

Arias has been booked at Santa Cruz County Jail.