Crime

Suspected gang member arrested in Merced, police say

By Andrew Kuhn
Merced Police said an alleged gang member has been arrested after officers found a gun and ammunition in a car he was driving. Photo courtesy of the Merced Police Department.
Merced Police said an alleged gang member has been arrested after officers found a gun and ammunition in a car he was driving. Photo courtesy of the Merced Police Department.

A traffic stop in Merced ended with a suspected gang member behind bars after police found a firearm in his car, officers said Monday.

The Merced Police Gang Violence Suppression Unit arrested 35-year-old Carlos Almeida of Merced on Friday, according to a news release.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by the alleged gang member on Lesher Drive for a vehicle code violation. Officers searched the vehicle and discovered a handgun and ammunition under the center console.

Almeida was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition and gang enhancements, according to the release.

Merced Police ask anyone with information regarding the alleged crime to contact Gang Violence Suppression Unit Sgt. Brian Rodriguez at 209-385-4710 or the Merced Police Department Tipster line at 209-3854725. Information can be sent by anonymous text message to the police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and include the word “Comvip” as the keyword in the text message.

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