Man in violation of restraining order found with gun, ammunition, Gustine police say

A driver violating a restraining order was found with a stolen firearm during a traffic stop in Gustine on Saturday, according to authorities.

While on patrol at 1:26 a.m. an officer observed a suspicious vehicle in an alleyway in the area of South Avenue and Grove Avenue, according to a news release.

Police said the officer observed the driver commit a traffic violation and stopped the vehicle in the area of Highway 33 and Meredith Avenue.

The officer made contact with the driver, identified as Steven Martinez, 38, of Turlock, who immediately became nervous and uncooperative. Police said there was also a female passenger in the vehicle with Martinez.

During an investigation, police said the officer learned that Martinez’s license was suspended or revoked and confirmed there was an active restraining order against Martinez, with the victim being identified as the passenger in the vehicle.

Newman police were requested to assist the officer and Martinez was placed under arrest. Police said that during an inventory of the vehicle for storage purposes, the officer located what they described as a “short-barreled shotgun” in the rear seat of the vehicle within Martinez’s reach, plus several rounds of ammunition.

Police said the the firearm was later found to have been reported stolen out of Turlock.

Martinez was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony possession of short barreled rifle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition as well as misdemeanor violation of restraining order and carrying a loaded firearm in public, according to police.

This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 1:26 PM.