Merced police make arrests at I Street complex

Merced police reported arresting several people after serving search warrants Wednesday in the 1800 block of I Street.

The three search warrants were served around 3:40 p.m. at a complex. Officers with the Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team (DART) had been investigating complaints of narcotics sales, gambling, and prostitution activities related to several apartments in that area, according to a press release.

Search warrants were obtained by officers and served on three apartments. In addition to the DART Team, the department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit, Investigations Division and Patrol Division, along with the Merced County Probation Department, participated in the operation.

At the end of the investigation, suspect Khong Thongsy, 26, was arrested on suspicion of maintaining a house where narcotics are used or sold, according to the release.

Robert Burgess, 25, was arrested on suspicion of violating the terms and conditions of his probation. Christian Allen, 35, was arrested on suspicion of a probation violation related to failing to check in with his probation officer. In addition to those arrests, 16 others were arrested and issued citations for allegedly visiting a house where drugs are used or sold, according to police;

Officers determined one of the apartments had substandard living conditions and that apartment was posted as unsafe to occupy.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information about this case to contact Sgt. Don King at (209)384-4188 or the department’s automated tipline at (209) 385-4725. Information can be sent via text message by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.

This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 12:16 AM with the headline "Merced police make arrests at I Street complex."