Teen gang member with loaded gun arrested in Santa Cruz

A 16-year-old Santa Cruz gang member was arrested for having a loaded gun on him and violating his probation, police said.

Santa Cruz police officers. said an officer saw the teenager in the area of Foster Freeze on Laurel Street on Saturday at about 10 p.m.

According to officers, the teenager is a known gang member and is on probation. Officers said they have had multiple contacts in the past with law enforcement.

Officers said when they approached the teenager, he immediately turned away from the officers and reached for the waistband area of his pants.

Officers believed he had a weapon and placed the teenager in custody.

While officers were searching the teenager, they recovered a loaded firearm found in his waist area.

Officers arrested the teenager, who is from Santa Cruz, and he has been charged with various charges.