Gang member with loaded Glock arrested in Winton, authorities say

WINTON -- A 17-year-old admitted gang member was arrested in Winton after deputies found him with a loaded handgun in his waistband, authorities said.

On Thursday just after 6 p.m., members of the Merced County Sheriff’s Tactical and Reconnaissance (STAR) Team were patrolling Winton when detectives Ruben Orozco and Chris Sziraki came across a parked Lexus with five people inside parked near Peridot Avenue and West Nicholas Place.

Tom MacKenzie, deputy for the Merced County Sheriff's Department, said when the detectives approached the vehicle, a 17-year-old boy got out. After questioning, they discovered he was armed witht a .40-caliber Glock. The boy admitted to being a gang member.

The other four people in the vehicle were questioned and released.

The boy was taken to Merced County Juvenile Hall on charges of possession of a loaded firearm and being a gang member in possession of a firearm.