Police: 3 armed gang members arrested after chase

Three suspected gang members were arrested early Tuesday in Merced following a 95 mph vehicle pursuit and foot chase, the Police Department reported.

Merced police tried to stop a vehicle around 2:44 a.m. in the 1200 block of R Street for an unspecified traffic violation, but the driver did not stop, police said in a news release.

Officers pursued the vehicle down Highway 59, eventually reaching Sandy Mush Road before turning onto Gurr Road. The chase continued back toward the city and the suspect’s vehicle drove over a spike strip at Gurr and Dickenson Ferry roads, police said.

The vehicle became disabled on the train tracks at Q Street and the three men inside fled on foot. All three were captured a short time later hiding in the backyards of several homes in the area, police said.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol assisted with the search, officers said.

Angel Llamas, 30, was arrested and identified as the driver. Joseph Silas, 27, and Michael Villegas, 26, were arrested and were identified as passengers, according to police.

Police described all three suspects as known gang members.

“Officers located an assault rifle during the investigation,” Sgt. Robert Solis said in the statement.

The men were booked on suspicion of being convicted felons in possession of firearm, felons in possession of ammunition, evading peace officers, resisting and obstructing peace officers, and gang enhancements. Silas and Villegas were additionally booked on parole violations, police said.

Silas was previously arrested by Merced police on Nov. 2, 2012, on charges of being a felon in possession of firearm and gang enhancements, and was released from custody on parole in September 2014, police said.

Villegas was previously arrested by Merced police in March 2010 for assault with a firearm against a person. Villegas was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. He was released on parole in March 2013, according to police.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 7:49 AM with the headline "Police: 3 armed gang members arrested after chase."