Suspected gang member arrested

Police found drugs, a loaded firearm and a bulletproof vest when they arrested a suspected gang member trying to evade officers during a traffic stop in Huntington Beach.

Angel Villegas, 21, of Riverside and his passenger, Lorena Mercado, 28, of Tustin, were arrested Jan. 19. Villegas was booked on suspicion of transporting and possessing a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, having a loaded firearm, participating in criminal street activity and possession of a firearm during street gang activity. Mercado was arrested on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child, and an immigration hold was placed on her, according to police records.

Villegas was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe near Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue when officers attempted to pull him over for a traffic violation at about 1:30 a.m., Lt. Russell Reinhart said.

Villegas refused to pull over, and police pursued the vehicle east on Edinger to Bushard Street in Fountain Valley where Villegas lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a cinder-block wall, Reinhart said. He tried to drive away again, but the vehicle was too damaged.

An investigation revealed Villegas is a member of the street gang “Dark Side Assassins” or “Dark Side Locos,” Reinhart said. Officers also found narcotics, a loaded firearm and a bulletproof vest in his possession, Reinhart said.

Mercado was arrested after police discovered she had left her 3- and 10-year-old children at home in Tustin for the night. The children were unharmed and placed with family members, Reinhart said.

Villegas is being held at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange on more than $100,000 bail. He is expected to be in court Friday at the Westminster Justice Center, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

— Britney Barnes