3 Alleged Gang Members In Jail After Traffic Stop In Watsonville

WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) -- A routine traffic stop in Watsonville led to the arrest of three documented gang members this week, police said.

A Watsonville police officer was on patrol around 9 p.m. Wednesday when he stopped a car for a vehicle code violation, according to police.

As the car came to a stop, the officer saw someone inside the car ducking down out of sight.

The officer approached the car and spoke to the three occupants, identified as Watsonville residents Carlos Robles and Jason Cortez, both 18, and 20-year-old Isaias Barron.

According to police, all three are affiliated with a local criminal street gang.

A search of the car also turned up a loaded concealed handgun, police said.

The three men were arrested for alleged participation in a criminal street gang and Robles was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded, concealed handgun. All three were booked into county jail.

Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to call Watsonville police at (831) 768-3350 or the police department's crime tip line at (831) 768-3544.

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