SALINAS (KRON) — A 30-year-old convicted felon was arrested for allegedly being armed while fighting with Salinas police officers during a traffic stop Thursday morning, police said.
Police arrested Joseph Cienega for bringing narcotics to a custodial facility and being a felon in possession of a firearm and gang enhancements, police said.
Officers pulled over Cienega for not wearing his seatbelt at an ARCO gas station at 385 E. Alisal St., just west of U.S. Highway 101, around 11:10 a.m. Thursday, police said.
They learned Cienaga was driving with a suspended license and he became combative when they asked him to leave his car, according to police.
Officers ended up in a struggle with Cienega, who they saw had a handgun strapped to his waistband, police said.
One officer was able to subdue the suspect with a Taser, according to police.
They recovered the suspect’s weapon, an unregistered semi-automatic 9mm handgun loaded with a 14-round magazine, police said.
Cienega and the officers were not injured during the altercation, according to police.
The 30-year-old was taken into custody and transported to Monterey County Jail, where he was allegedly found with more than 5 grams of tar heroin in his pocket, police said.Bay City News contributed to this report.