A 27-year-old Modesto man was pulled over by Ceres Police early Thursday after he was spotted driving erratically and running stop signs. His arrest came when officers found a loaded handgun inside the passenger compartment.

At 12:22 a.m. Officer Kao Saechao pulled over the driver of a Ford Explorer after watching him speed and ignore stop signs. The car stopped in the 1500 block of Holm Avenue where Hector Castillo-Paredes, 27, of Modesto got out of the driver’s seat and leaned into the vehicle as if he were accessing the center console. His 25-year-old female passenger also got out. Officer Saechao ordered both to show their hands and step away from the SUV. Backup officer arrived and both occupants were detained. 

Castillo-Paredes was found to have a suspended driver’s license. A loaded .45 caliber handgun was located tucked between the driver’s seat and center console. 

Castillo-Paredes was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license.