Wanted felon tied to nine guns, nearly a pound of heroin

Police found handguns and heroin while arresting a man in a car near an East Central neighborhood home.

Department of Corrections employees watched Martin E. Rios Jr., who was known to be living in the 2200 block of East Fourth and noticed indications of drug activity.

Rios denied ownership of a backpack holding the guns and drugs sitting next to him in the back seat even though a zippered pouch containing cash found inside the backpack had his name written on it, court documents state. A fourth gun was found elsewhere in the car.

Detectives later searched Rios’ residence and found five other handguns, more heroin and methamphetamine.

Rios has 10 felony convictions and is barred from possessing guns. The case is still under investigation and further arrests are possible, according to police.