SANTA ANA – A suspected gang member was arrested Monday night, March 19, after officers found a live hand grenade in his car during a traffic stop.

Gregorio Rojas, 44, was pulled over shortly before 8 p.m. at First and Fairview streets in Santa Ana for Vehicle Code violations, police said.

“When officers asked the driver if he had anything illegal, the driver advised he had a hand grenade in the vehicle,” police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. “The detectives observed an item, which appeared to be a modified pineapple grenade, on the front-passenger seat.”

Rojas, who was driving under a suspended license, was arrested, police said.

The surrounding streets were closed to traffic for about two hours while bomb-squad members investigated the device, which turned out to be operable. It was detonated using a robot at about 10:10 pm.

Investigators went to Rojas’ Santa Ana home, believing he might have more devices. There they found four loaded handguns and a substance they believe to be methamphetamine, Bertagna said.

Rojas was booked on suspicion of possession of a destructive device, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.

Police said they are unsure where the grenade came from.