Merced police arrest wanted parolee

A 28-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of child endangerment and other charges Saturday, after Merced police reported finding drugs inside his apartment.

Victor Torres, a wanted parolee and gang member, was taken into custody at the apartment, located in the 1100 block of Loughborough Drive, according to Sgt. Curt Gorman.

Three officers from the department's Gang Violence Suppression Unit knocked on the door and an occupant opened it. Officers asked if Torres was there and the person said that he was in a back room and let officers in the apartment, Gorman said.

Officers found Torres asleep and arrested him without incident. A search of the room yielded methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, LSD, hash, scales, packaging materials and gang paraphernalia, Gorman said.

Two adults and two small children occupied the apartment. The narcotics were stored in various locations around the apartment and were accessible to the children, police said.

Torres was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of illegal possession of narcotics, possession for sale of narcotics, a felony warrant, child endangerment and a gang enhancement.

-- Victor A. Patton