Condom theft leads to gun arrest

Two women and one man were arrested Friday morning for the possession of a handgun in a case that began as a condom theft.

Sonia Delgado, 22, and Corina Lerma, 20, were charged with the unlawful possession of a handgun and with tampering with the serial number of a handgun for their part in the case, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique. Delgado was also charged with theft and with possession of marijuana.

Carlos Eduardo Delgado, 24, the male companion, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun by a felon, tampering with the serial number of a handgun and possession of a controlled substance, Manrrique added.

The arrest took place Friday at 3 a.m. when a police officer stopped by a convenience store at 1601 Central Blvd. to buy a drink, police said.

"When the officer went to the counter the clerk made gestures at the officer informing him that a female, who was Delgado, had slipped some condoms into her purse." Manrrique said.

The police officer detained Delgado and, while checking her purse, found two packs of condoms and 9.6 grams of marijuana, police said.

Officers then arrested Lerma and Carlos Delgado after finding a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber handgun with the serial number filed off in the backseat of the vehicle the group was driving, Manrrique said.

The whole group was charged for the possession of the handgun. However, Carlos Delgado had a previous felony arrest for possession of marijuana and cocaine and was also in possession of pills during his arrest, police said.