Lakeport >> A Kelseyville man faces multiple charges including being a felon in possession of a firearm and concealing a firearm in a vehicle — one which officers believe may have been stolen in a recent burglary.
Marco Antonio Meza 24, was taken into custody Thursday after his girlfriend reported he took her car keys and left at about 2:44 p.m., Lt. Jason Ferguson said in a media release.
Officers were dispatched to the area of Second Street and North Forbes Street and found caller Marcella Ann Milenewicz 23, sitting on the sidewalk and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street.
While speaking to Milenewicz, an officer approached the passenger side of the vehicle and through the window and allegedly noticed a silver colored .25-caliber handgun with white grips, lying on its side in plain view, Ferguson stated. The officer inquired about the handgun and learned it belonged to Milenewicz and that she and Meza had been out at Cow Mountain target shooting. Officers conducted a check on the loaded firearm and learned it was registered to Milenewicz.
Upon obtaining consent to search the vehicle, officers located a loaded .22-caliber pistol concealed inside a yellow zippered bag in the center console. When asked about the pistol, Milenewicz reportedly denied ownership but claimed the yellow zippered bag belonged to her, Ferguson said.
Located on the floorboard of the vehicle was a box of .22-caliber hollow point ammunition, containing 100 rounds, which were determined to belong to Meza.
Based on the location of the pistol, combined with the fact it was concealed in the vehicle, officers placed Milenewicz under arrest for possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle and transported her to the police station for questioning.
While at the station, officers at the scene of the vehicle found Meza as he returned to the area. He was placed under arrest for being a driver in possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and domestic battery.
Both Meza and Milenewicz were transported to the Hill Road Jail where Meza’s bail was set at $15,000. Milenewicz was later released on a citation.
During the course of their investigation, officers learned that the .22-caliber pistol had been reported stolen in a recent burglary in the Kelseyville area. Additional charges of possession of stolen property are being sought against Milenewicz and Meza.
No further information is available at this time.
