Gang member arrested after being caught with assault rifle in Watsonville

A gang member is behind bars after a high-risk search warrant was served at a home in Watsonville.

According to police, it happened Wednesday morning outside the home on Green Meadow Drive.

“While our entry team was clearing the apartment, we did locate an attic space in the ceiling. There was a duffle bag that appeared to have been recently shoved into that attic space. We pulled it down, opened it and the assault rifle was found inside that duffle bag,” explained Mish Radich, Watsonville Police Sergeant.

24-year-old Miguel Narez was taken into custody.

Narez has two prior felony convictions for previous cases including a shooting.

“We go to great lengths to take as many guns off the street as we can,” said Sgt. Radich. “This is just one of many guns taken out of a potentially dangerous person’s hands.”

Watsonville Fire, Santa Cruz Police and AMR helped police with the operation.