Santa Rosa man arrested, carrying loaded, stolen gun

Sheriff’s deputies searched and arrested a suspect over the weekend, not realizing he also was carrying a loaded handgun, authorities say.|
RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Santa Rosa man suspected of drinking in public and resisting arrest was in custody and had been searched when Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies found he’d also been carrying a loaded handgun, a sheriff’s official said Monday.

The handgun was spotted on the floor of a deputy’s patrol car after deputies had Guadalupe Velasquez, 24, handcuffed and his legs bound late Saturday night, said sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum.

Crum said Velasquez wore several layers of thick clothing. A search of Velasquez before being placed in the patrol car turned up several 9-mm handgun rounds in a pocket, Crum said.

The loaded, 9-mm Smith & Wesson, which deputies suspect Velasquez dropped to the floor, had been stolen in Contra Costa County, Crum said.

Velasquez was arrested on suspicion of having a loaded, stolen gun in public, obstructing a deputy with violence and violating his probation for a DUI conviction. He was released after posting $36,000 bail.

- Randi Rossmann

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor