A man previously convicted of a robbery charge was arrested by police for illegal gun possession on Friday outside a strip mall in Tagbilaran City.

Police arrested Anthony Araneta, 47, after residents outside the Lite Port Center alerted authorities of his presence outside the establishment as he was seen with a pistol tucked in his pants.

Responding operatives then collared Araneta who was allegedly in caught possession of an unlicensed Norinco 9mm pistol loaded with a magazine with nine live rounds.

According to Tagbilaran City Police Station chief Lt. Col. Christopher Navida, Araneta is also being investigated for involvement in a shooting at restaurant in the city.

Araneta allegedly shot and injured a man at Doi’s Restaurant in Tagbilaran City in July. The victim survived the attack but sustained a gunshot wound in his chest.

Navida said that the pistol seized from Araneta was submitted to a crime laboratory for ballistics test to determine if he was involved in the July shooting.

Araneta remains detained at the Tagbilaran City Police Station lock-up jail and is set to be charged tomorrow for illegal gun possession. (WM)