Watsonville teen caught with assault rifle in backpack, police say

A Watsonville teen was caught carrying an assault rifle in his backpack, police said.

According to Watsonville police, Sergio Jimenez, 19, was spotted at an illegal campsite near the dead end of Rodriguez Street at Rodriguez Way Monday afternoon.

An officer noticed Jimenez was carrying a rifle barrel between his back and his backpack. After investigating further, the officer found the remaining parts to the functional assault rifle in the backpack.

Jimenez was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of being in possession of an assault weapon.

“This is the sixth firearm that WPD officers have taken off the streets in less than a week. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve recovered nearly 30 guns,” the Watsonville Police Department said in a written statement.