3 arrested in Merced during probation sweep, police say
Three people were arrested Wednesday, including a 17-year-old alleged gang member, during a large law enforcement sweep targeting people on parole and probation, Merced police officers said in a news release.
The teenager was spotted in the area of 22nd and Q streets and ran away from police. He was wanted on a felony probation violation, officers said.
He ran through Fremont Elementary School, which was placed on lockdown as a precaution for a short time, Sgt. Don King said.
Investigators tracked him to a home in the 2000 block of S Street, and found a trail of blood leading to the house’s back door.
“He’d apparently cut his hand climbing over a fence,” King said. “The juvenile suspect was found hiding inside of a residence, and had removed most of the clothing he was wearing.”
Officers found a sawed-off .22 caliber rifle with a high-capacity magazine in the home near the spot where the juvenile was said to be hiding.
“The homeowner was contacted and confirmed the firearm did not belong in the residence,” police said in the statement.
The teenager was booked at the Merced County Juvenile Hall facility for the felony warrant, possession of a modified firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a high capacity magazine and gang participation allegations, police said.
Officers, during Wednesday’s operation, also arrested a husband and wife from Merced on drug possession allegations.
Carlos and Hilda Aguirre were arrested at their home in the 1200 block of East 22nd Street in Merced. Hilda Aguirre, 40, was arrested on suspicion of crystal methamphetamine possession. Carlos Aguirre, 36, was arrested on suspicion of drug paraphernalia, police said.
The agencies participating in Tuesday’s operation included the California Highway Patrol, the Merced County Probation, California parole agents and the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit and the Disruptive Area Response Team.
Merced police ask anyone with any information regarding these cases to contact Sgt. Don King at (209)384-4188, or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.
This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 6:14 PM with the headline "3 arrested in Merced during probation sweep, police say."