Police find gun during arrest of shoplifting suspects

Two men were arrested May 11 on suspicion of shoplifting from an electronics store in Fountain Valley, police said.

Officers responded to Fry’s Electronics at 10800 Kalama River Ave. at 11:14 a.m. in response to a report of shoplifting in progress, the Fountain Valley Police Department said in a news release.

Upon arrival, officers found two men who matched the description of the suspects and began searching them.

During the search, officers recovered an undisclosed amount of stolen merchandise. A search of the suspects’ car revealed a loaded handgun hidden in the dashboard, according to police

Police arrested Ruben Maldonado, 25, of Santa Ana on suspicion of shoplifting, possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place. He was on probation as part of prison realignment, the state’s effort to reduce prison overcrowding.

Javier Zavaleta, 24, of Santa Ana was also arrested for a parole violation.

Both men were booked into Orange County Jail.