Castroville accident leads to weapons bust

When CHP officers and Sheriff’s deputies investigated an injury car accident in Castroville Sunday, they ended up finding a modified rifle and arresting two suspects in a drug deal gone bad.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says the accident at Merritt St. and Union St. happened when a drug dealer chased down and rammed a car carrying two people who’d stolen $1,000 worth of marijuana during a failed drug deal.

While investigating the accident, deputies found an AR-15 rifle with no serial number or identifying marks in the car that was rammed.

Deputies arrested the suspected dealer, Alberto Mejia, 33 and Jose Arellano, 20, the driver of the second vehicle. A third person, who was a passenger in Arellano’s car, escaped before investigators arrived.

The Sheriff’s Office says Arellano is on felony probation and not permitted to have a firearm.

Alberto Mejia (L) Jose Arellano (R)