Two arrested in Soledad after Saturday night traffic stop

A traffic stop for mechanical violations led to the arrest of two people on weapons charges Saturday, Soledad police said.

Officers stopped the car on Palm Avenue and First Street shortly before 9 p.m. and noticed a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the car.

The officer recognized the driver, Juan Lucio, as being a validated and known gang member.

Neither Lucio nor his passenger, Angelique Retana, had valid driver’s licenses in their possession.

A search of the car turned up a loaded, 9mm Glock handgun, a loaded AK-47 assault rifle.

The suspect vehicle was impounded and both suspects were placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Monterey County Jail.

Lucio, 29, and Retana, 26, were arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon in a car, carrying a loaded firearm in a car, conspiracy, unlawful weapons and ammunition possession and gang participation. Lucio also faces a charge of being “a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.”