MERCED, CA  - A man stopped by an officer who saw he was sporting a black eye ended up in jail on alleged weapons charges.

Joseph Bradshaw, 22, of Merced was arrested around 9 a.m. Tuesday after Officer Ben Dalia saw him walking in the 3100 block of R street with a cold pack over his right eye.

When the officer pulled over to check on the eye injury, the individual, later identified as Bradshaw, crossed the street to avoid the officer, said police Cmdr. Tom Martin.

Seeing the injured man peeking from around a building, the officer approached. He was told by Bradshaw that he was beaten up the night before and didn't want to talk to the officer.

A search of Bradshaw turned up a loaded .22-caliber Colt pistol in his waistband, which he said was for protection.

After a further search, the officer reportedly found a small amount of marijuana.

Bradshaw was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of possession of a concealed weapon, carrying a loaded firearm in public and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

He remained in custody in lieu of $50,350 bail, said spokeswoman Christine Krebs-Belluomini.