SOLEDAD — Two men were arrested after a physical altercation at a Soledad bar Saturday night, where officers later found a firearm, ammunition and suspected methamphetamine in a vehicle, according to the Soledad Police Department.
Officers responded to the 200 block of West Street at about 11:12 p.m. on Oct. 10 after receiving a report of a physical altercation involving multiple people. They arrived within minutes and intervened to prevent further escalation, police said.
Investigators determined that Francisco Marmolejo, 44, of Soledad, and Marco Sanchez, 49, of Watsonville, had arrived together in the same vehicle and become involved in a physical altercation with another person.
Marmolejo was on parole, police said. A search of the vehicle turned up a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson firearm, loaded magazines and about 0.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Both men were arrested and booked into Monterey County Jail on various charges and warrants. Marmolejo faces charges including carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, along with other weapons charges.
“The Soledad Police Department remains committed to proactively addressing criminal activity, removing illegally possessed firearms and narcotics from our community, and ensuring the safety of our residents,” the department said in a statement.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact nonemergency dispatch at 831-755-5111 or submit an anonymous tip through the WeTip hotline at 800-782-7463.
