Loaded gun allegedly hidden under car seat leads to two arrests by Oxnard's gang unit

A traffic stop by Oxnard’s gang unit led to two arrests after police allegedly found a loaded gun hidden under a car seat, authorities said.

The stop was initiated around 7:55 p.m. Thursday near Yucca and J streets, the Oxnard Police Department reported, by officers from the special enforcement unit, which focuses on reducing gun violence and gang crimes.

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One of the passengers, 23-year-old Pedro Collazo of Oxnard, was on probation with terms that allow for police searches, authorities said. A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a concealed, loaded handgun under the driver’s seat. The gun was also unregistered.

The driver, identified as Gilberto Rodriguez, 37, of Oxnard, was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance, authorities allege. He was arrested on suspicion of felony firearms offenses and remained in Ventura County jail Friday morning in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to authorities.

Collazo was arrested on suspicion of a felony violation of probation terms, authorities said, and was in Ventura County jail Friday with records showing he was not eligible for bail.

Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.

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