An East Boston man who allegedly tried to steal two pairs of jeans was held on $100,000 cash bail at his arraignment today because the security guards who stopped him also found a loaded handgun on his person, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JASON MORALES (D.O.B. 2/18/92) was arraigned in the Boston Municipal Court today on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded handgun, and larceny under $250.

Suffolk prosecutors told the court that Morales was observed at about 6:30 on Saturday evening in the Macy’s at Downtown Crossing. After allegedly noting the positions of store security cameras, Morales was allegedly seen placing two pairs of Levi’s jeans into a shopping bag he’d been carrying. Morales allegedly tried to leave the department store without paying for the pants.

Macy’s security personnel stopped Morales and brought him to the store’s Loss Prevention Office. During a standard search for weapons, a special police officer found in his waistband a Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun loaded with three rounds of ammunition. A small quantity of a substance believed to be marijuana was also recovered from his pants pocket, Conley said.

Boston Police responded to the store and took Morales into custody.

Boston Municipal Court Judge Michael Coyne ordered Morales to return to court on June 15 with attorney Steven Topazio. Morales is expected to be prosecuted in the Suffolk County Gun Court, a priority prosecution session for cases of firearms possession, Conley said.