Man arrested with a stolen gun during fireworks enforcement patrolling

A man is behind bars after he was caught with a loaded, stolen gun and high capacity magazine.

It happened Monday night just before 7:00 p.m. in Ramsay Park. Two Watsonville police officers on the fireworks enforcement team spotted 27-year-old Giovanni Cardona at the trunk of a vehicle, surrounded by a group of kids.

When the officers approached, the kids ran away and Cardona attempted to hide mortars, which are considered to be “dangerous fireworks.”

A search of his vehicle revealed more fireworks, a loaded Glock handgun and a high capacity magazine. Police confirmed the gun was stolen from Redding, California.

Cardona was arrested and booked into county jail.