Convicted felon arrested with loaded rifle, illegal drugs

Officers said they were patrolling a parking lot in the 1000 block of South Main Street in Salinas Saturday night when they arrested a convicted felon with a loaded rifle and illegal drugs.

A green Honda Accord was spotted with paper plates by officers at about 9:30 p.m.

Officers said when they approached the car, Gerardo Cerna began walking away.

One officers made contact with Cerna, while the other officer went back to the car.

Heroin was on the passenger seat in plain sight, officers said.

Police searched the car and found a loaded rifle wrapped up in a towel and a mask.

Officers said Cerna is a convicted felon and has a prior gun arrest.

Cerna was booked into the Monterey County Jail for gun and drug charges.