Police: 2 known Merced gang members jailed on gun, drug charges

Merced Police Department’s gang violence suppression unit on Thursday arrested two known and wanted gang members who had guns, police reported.

The gang violence suppression unit received information about a wanted gang member, possible drug sales and guns at a home in the 500 block of T Street, police said.

When officers showed up, they saw Joseph Sanchez, 40, run out the back door. Officers caught Sanchez a short distance away. Sanchez was wanted and on probation, police said in a news release.

When searching the home, officers found a 12-gauge shotgun, police said.

Sanchez was booked into jail on multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a gun, resisting an officer, conspiring to commit a crime and drug possession. He is being held at the John Latoracca Correctional Center on more than $200,000 bond. Sanchez has served multiple short stints previously for drug and gang charges, jail records show.

Also arrested and booked into jail was Daniel “Chapo” Aguilar, 34, on being a felon in possession of a gun and conspiracy. Aguilar also remains at John Latoracca on more than $100,000 bond. His prior offenses also are related to drug sales and probation violations, records show.

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Police: 2 known Merced gang members jailed on gun, drug charges."