Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s COBRA Team are seeking assistance in locating Johnny Martinez, a 21-year-old male Hispanic from Newhall, who is being sought for questioning in connection with a weapons possession case.

On Friday, May 14, detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s COBRA team were patrolling in the area of the 22300 block of 2nd Street in Newhall when they recognized two gang members who they knew to be on parole, walking in an alley and they stopped to investigate.

One suspect ran from the detectives. When he climbed over a nearby wall, detectives saw that he was carrying a gun in his hand. They followed his path and found a loaded gun laying on a driveway on Race Street. Although deputies and detectives combed the area, the suspect was not located.

The second suspect, Juan Gutierrez, a 29-year-old male Hispanic who stayed at the location, was arrested after he was found to be carrying a knife in his pocket. He was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Station on suspicion of felony possession of a deadly weapon. He is currently being held in lieu of $1,060,000 bail pending future court proceedings.

Detectives are still seeking information on the whereabouts of Johnny Martinez. He is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches in height, weighing 200 pounds, having black hair (shaved) and brown eyes. His birthdate is Dec. 31, 1988.

Martinez has family living in the 24600 block of Newhall Avenue and a last known address in the 22300 block of 2nd Street, Newhall. He may frequent both locations. He faces multiple felony charges including being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded firearm.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or the whereabouts of Johnny Martinez is asked to immediately dial 911 or contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.

Specific information regarding the case can be directed to Detective Dorman of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s COBRA team at (661) 799-5176. Please do not contact the detective directly unless you have information pertaining to the crime. For anonymous tips please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Crime Tip Line at 661-284-2TIP (2847) or report on-line at scvsheriff.com.