Salinas teen arrested in connection with possession of loaded firearm

SALINAS, calif. -- A 17-year-old was arrested Friday in Salinas in connection with being a gang member in possession of a loaded gun.

On Friday around 9 a.m., officers with the Salinas Police Department attempted to speak with a group of teenagers in the area of the 900 block of Acosta Plaza.

As the officers approached, one of the teenagers grabbed his waistband and started running, police said.

The officers chased the 17-year-old, and during the pursuit, he pulled a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and tossed the gun onto the roof of the shed, police said.

The juvenile then surrendered to officers at gunpoint.

Police said the weapon was loaded.

The juvenile, who also had a misdemeanor truancy warrant for his arrest, was taken into custody and booked into juvenile hall.