The Kern County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Bakersfield man on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and a controlled substance.

Deputies, from the department’s gang unit, arrested Andrew Ybarra Chavez, in front of the Flower Street Mini Market, after a brief struggle.  Deputies said Chavez was on active probation for weapons violations. A search of Chavez found he was in possession of a loaded 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, methamphetamine and a hypodermic syringe.

Chavez was arrested and booked on numerous charges which included possession of a firearm by a prior convicted felon, being in possession of a controlled substance while personally armed with a firearm, resisting arrest and participation in a criminal street gang.

Chavez is currently being held at the Central Receiving Facility with a bail set at $170,000.