Two stolen handguns recovered in separate arrests

PORTERVILLE – Separate arrests over the weekend by Porterville police helped recover a pair of stolen handguns and put several potential gang members behind bars, officials said.

Police were called to the Save Mart parking lot in the 900 block of West Henderson Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a man brandishing a firearm at a motorist.

Using the description provided by the victim, police found Jose Acevedo, 20, as he left a store. He was arrested without incident. As officers searched his vehicle they found a loaded .357 magnum handgun and extra ammunition. Acevedo told police he carried the weapon for protection because he was a member of a gang.

The victim told police Acevedo threatened him with the gun after the gang member accused the man of looking at his girlfriend, who was in Acevedo’s car at the time. Police said they discovered later that the handgun was stolen from a home in Bakersfield. Acevedo remains in jail on $50,000 bail.

That evening, officers were called to downtown Porterville near the intersection of Morton Avenue and Main Street on a report of a possible gang member in possession of a gun.

When officers arrived they made contact with two juvenile males and two men. According to the report, the teenagers began threatening the officers and one of the juveniles kicked an officer during the confrontation. Both of the juveniles were detained and taken to a youth facility.

Adam Gonzales, 18, fled on foot but was found hiding nearby. He was arrested for evading a police officer.

Meanwhile, officers learned that Edward Gonzales, 22, was on felony probation. He was carrying a loaded handgun that was later discovered to be reported stolen. He was arrested on suspicion of violating felony probation and for carrying a loaded, concealed firearm.