Santa Rosa Police arrests gang members for possession of firearms during a traffic stop (CR# 12-8615).
On July 11, 2012 at approximately 8:15 pm, a Santa Rosa Police Officer was on routine patrol and observed a vehicle with two occupants weaving out of the traffic lane in the area of Range Avenue and Piner Road. The officer stopped the vehicle for the traffic violation at State Farm Drive and McBride Lane.
The officer, a former gang investigator, contacted the two subjects. He recognized the driver from past contacts. The officer learned that the driver had a suspended license and a second officer responded to assist. During a search of the subjects, officers located a loaded handgun in the waistband of the passenger. Officers then searched the vehicle and located another handgun in the trunk of the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Misael Gutierrez, a 23 year old Santa Rosa resident. The passenger was identified as Benjamin Cervantes, a 23 year old Santa Rosa resident.
Detectives from the Gang Crimes Team were called out to assist the patrol officers in the investigation. Investigators contacted the registered owner of the firearms in Yolo County and learned that the firearms had been stolen approximately one month ago.
Investigators learned that Gutierrez resided in a mobile home in the 400 block of Nonie Street in Santa Rosa and that Cervantes resided in an apartment in the 2300 block of McBride Lane. On July 12, 2012 at approximately 2:00 am, detectives from the Gang Crimes Team and Property Crimes Team executed a search warrant at the two Santa Rosa locations. Ammunition and holsters were located at the McBride Lane apartment.
Misael Gutierrez was arrested and booked for the following violations:
Gang Member in Possession of a Handgun in Public
Gang Enhancement
Driving on a Suspended License
Possession of Stolen Property
Committing a Felony While out on Bail
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Benjamin Cervantes was arrested and booked for the following violations:
Gang Member in Possession of a Handgun in Public
Gang Enhancement
Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm
Possession of Stolen Property
Media inquires may be directed to Sergeant Rainer Navarro at (707) 543-4070.
Address/Location
Santa Rosa Police Department
965 Sonoma Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-543-3600