Gilroy police say a known gang member who was recently released from prison under a state law that seeks to reduce inmate populations was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle and possession of narcotics for sale.
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, members of the Gilroy Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team spotted James Bob Lucio – known to police from “numerous” previous contacts – driving a reported stolen car in the area of Montebello Drive and Wren Avenue, police said.
Lucio, 34, climbed out of the vehicle and fled, but he was soon subdued and placed into custody after briefly fighting with officers, according to GPD.
Officers found several “pre-packaged bags” of methamphetamine and indicators of Lucio’s intent to sell, police said.
Lucio is the first inmate released from prison who’s returned to Gilroy under a state program that shifts supervisory responsibilities back to local police departments in an effort to reduce prison populations an comply with U.S. Supreme Court mandates, according to GPD.
Local police have dealt with other recently released felons in the last several weeks.
Parolee Angel Espinoza, 25, who is formerly one of “Gilroy’s Most Wanted”,” led police on a high-speed car chase that began in the area of Chestnut and Martin streets Tuesday night.
Espinoza was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, evading police officers and driving without a license.
He’s been arrested twice since being released from prison, GPD said.
