Two men arrested after Merced police find guns in car off Motel Drive, officers say

Merced police have arrested two men suspected of being gang members after officers say they found illegally possessed firearms inside a vehicle.

Jaunte Lawrence, 19, and Deangelo Arce, 21, were arrested after officers with the Gang Violence Suppression Unit responded to the 1100 block of Motel Drive before midnight Friday, according to a news release.

Authorities said the officers located a car connected to the suspects and noticed an AR-15 rifles within plain view.

Officers searched the vehicle and located two handguns as well as two AR-15 rifles with ammunition, police said.

According to authorities, both men were arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of weapons charges and gang enhancements.

Merced police ask anyone with information regarding the alleged crime to contact Gang Violence Suppression Unit Sgt. Rodriguez at 209-385-4710, GVSU@cityofmerced.org or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725.

The public can send information via anonymous text message to police by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and include the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.