CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Two Clearlake residents were arrested this week on weapons charges after police received a report of a man brandishing a weapon a handgun.
Julio Cesar Zaragoza, 37, and 45-year-old Shanti Rebecca Gallon were taken into custody on Monday morning, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
At around 9 a.m. Monday the Clearlake Police Department received a report that Zaragoza brandished a handgun at a person in the 15900 block of 21st Avenue. Hobbs said Zaragoza then left the scene, driving a silver Mazda car.
While officers were headed to the call, Zaragoza passed by Officer Mike Perreault heading the other way. Hobbs said Perreault turned around and conducted a traffic stop on Zaragoza’s vehicle.
Hobbs said Zaragoza and the only passenger, Gallon, were detained. The victim responded to the location of the stop and identified Zaragoza as the one who had brandished the firearm.
Zaragoza was arrested for brandishing a firearm, Hobbs said.
During a search of the vehicle, a loaded 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun was located. Once the handgun was located Gallon stated the handgun belonged to her and Zaragoza had never seen it before, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said Gallon was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in public and possession of a concealed firearm.
Zaragoza is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Hobbs said Zaragoza was additionally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a concealed firearm, and possession of a loaded firearm in public.
Zaragoza and Gallon were transported to the Lake County Jail, Hobbs said.
Hobbs said Officer Perreault obtained a bail enhancement raising Zaragoza’s bail to $150,000 and a source of bail order, requiring proof be shown money used for his bail was lawfully obtained.
At the time of this arrest, Zaragoza was out on bail for an arrest on June 27. In that case, Hobbs said Zaragoza was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a concealed firearm, and possession of a loaded firearm in public, possession of controlled substances for sales, felony resisting arrest and others charges.
These charges were a result of Zaragoza running and violently resisting an officer during a traffic stop in which Zaragoza was found to be in possession of a loaded 10 millimeter semiautomatic handgun and more than 1 pound of methamphetamine, Hobbs said.