Atwater man arrested on suspicion of gun, drug sales

Merced police arrested a 24-year-old man in Atwater on Friday after finding illegal guns, drugs and material consistent with drug sales in his home, police reported.

The Merced Police Department’s gang unit, along with the Disruptive Area Response Team, served a search warrant in the 1700 block of High Street in Atwater. Police searched for Pedro Vargas after receiving information that he was selling drugs and guns to local gang members, said Merced police Sgt. Joseph Weiss.

When police searched the residence, they found guns, body armor, metal knuckles, methamphetamine, heroin, Ecstasy and evidence of drug sales, police said. Officers also found what they believe was stolen property, including collectible sports trading cards, comic books and military medals including a Purple Heart.

Vargas was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a gun, possession of body armor and possession of an illegal weapon. He was booked at Merced County jail Friday morning and was held for $210,000 bail, jail records show.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Atwater man arrested on suspicion of gun, drug sales."