Watsonville gang member arrested after probation sweep

A Watsonville man is in custody after being caught with a gun during a probation search.

According to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, their task force, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Gang Enforcement Team and Santa Cruz County probation officers worked together on the probation checks.

18 people on felony probation were targeted. Three people were found in violation.

Officers also searched a home on Monument Avenue where they found an unloaded semi-automatic gun along with two high capacity magazines and a live 9mm round. The gun had no markings to trace it back to the original owner. Officers said Neftali Reyes was known to stay at the house.

21-year-old Neftali Reyes was later arrested at his work in Pajaro. Reyes is a gang member on probation for a prior firearm possession charge.