Convicted felon accused of possessing stolen gun

A 25-year-old Porterville man is in jail after Porterville police officers reportedly found him in possession of a stolen and loaded handgun.

The incident took place at approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Palm Tree Inn, 940 W. Morton Ave. The Porterville Police Department reports that officers went to the motel for an unrelated investigation.

Police said that while at the motel, officers contacted the suspect, identified as Ruben Carrales. Officers reportedly found a loaded handgun that was reported stolen from Washington.
Carrales is also a convicted felon, forbidden from possessing firearms and/or ammunition, police said.   

He was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, and possession of stolen property.