A 32-year-old Ceres man was arrested on multiple charges on Wednesday, Jan. 13 after an officer removed a sawed-off shotgun from his pants as well as a realistic looking hand grenade.

Approximately 2:12 p.m. police were called to the area of Whitmore and Charlotte where someone heard screeching tires and saw two Hispanic males running from the scene. Officer Brian Peterson found a matching suspect and saw shotgun shells protruding from his pants pocket and a large bulge in the both pockets.

Paul Mendoza, 32, of Ceres, said he had a shotgun in his pocket, which was removed. A pineapple hand grenade was removed from the other pocket. It was set down and the area on Whitmore Avenue between Dale and Mitchell was closed down for the bomb squad. The grenade later proved to be a fake.

Mendoza was arrested on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, probation violation, manufacturing or possessing a destructive device, possession of a dirk and dagger.