Santa Cruz probationer caught with loaded gun

A Santa Cruz man on probation was found in possession of a loaded gun.

Around 10 p.m. Thursday, deputies with the Santa Cruz County Gang Enforcement team stopped a car in the area of Soquel Drive and Commercial Crossing for having expired registration, and false registration tags.

“The car deputies stopped had a license plate issued to a different vehicle and the driver did not have a valid driver’s license,” said Sgt. Brian Cleveland.

Gang Team deputies learned one passenger in the car, 21-year-old Milton Arias was on probation. A deputy saw bullets in the back seat where Arias had been sitting. After searching the car deputies found a loaded .38 caliber revolver where the loose bullets were seen.

Arias was arrested for probation violation and for possession of a loaded gun. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail with a bail set to $25,000.