Two Hamilton City men arrested on weapon charges

Glenn County Observer

Two Hamilton City men were taken into custody late Thursday night after a call came into the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatch center regarding multiple shots being heard in the area of Broadway and First Street.

For those who are unfamiliar with Hamilton City, Broadway is the street the library is on, while First Street is the road the fire station is on. Just to the south of First Street is an orchard.

According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, at about 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, the shots fired call was received. Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the area.

While on their way, the law enforcement officers received a report from another caller that a person in a white four-door sedan was firing a gun from the vehicle while traveling on Fourth Street, two blocks south of Highway 32. Deputies then stopped a white 2002 Toyota four-door sedan (California license plate number 4UYG183) at Fourth and Broadway.

The Toyota was being driven by Gerardo Mendoza Solorzano, 40, of 195 Los Robles, Hamilton City. His passenger was Moises Cortez, 23, of 211 Third Street, Hamilton City.

When deputies and a CHP officer contacted the occupants of the Toyota, a handgun was seen in plain view. A search of the vehicle was initiated by Deputy Chavez, which resulted in a loaded revolver being found, and an AK-style rifle being located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

A high-capacity magazine and multiple rounds for the rifle were also found in the car.

Solorzano and Cortez were arrested and booked into the Glenn County Jail in Willows on several firearm-related charges. Solorzano is a convicted felon and was booked on several charges related to being a felon in possession of ammunition and firearms, as well as driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Evidence at the scene showed that Solorzano and Cortez were likely the two people who had been firing a rifle while driving in Hamilton City.

The Toyota was removed by Bambauer Towing of Orland.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 530-934-6431.

On Friday at 4:17 p.m., The Observer called the Glenn County Jail in an attempt to acquire the booking photos for Solorzano and Cortez. The Observer’s call was transferred to a jail corporal’s extension, and the request was left on her voice mail.

As of 11:23 p.m. on Saturday, no photos were received by The Observer. Furthermore, the booking reports for Nov. 16, which list the precise charges and the bail for the jail’s inmates, had not yet been posted.

Expect an update in The Observer.