STORM LAKE, IA (Northwestiowanow) — A suspicious vehicle investigation and the discovery of a stolen firearm in Storm Lake led to the arrest of a Lakeside man early Sunday morning.

Authorities report the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on October 12th in the 600 Block of West 4th Street. Storm Lake Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle and made contact with the driver, later identified as 22-year-old Cristian Cervantes of Lakeside.

Police allege the smell of marijuana was coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of a handgun that had previously been reported stolen out of Lafayette, Iowa. Investigators further allege Cervantes had a prior conviction for Domestic Abuse Assault in 2023, which prohibits him from possessing firearms under Iowa law.

Cervantes was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on a $10,000 bond. He is charged with Possession or Control of a Firearm by a Domestic Abuse Offender and Trafficking Stolen Weapons, both classified as Class D felonies.