Suspected gang members arrested after gun found during traffic stop, police say

Five suspected gang members were arrested during a traffic stop in Merced last week, according to police.

Merced Police Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit officers stopped a van occupied by suspected gang members Deangelo Arce, 21, Charles Jasper, 19, Andrae Allen, 27, Jaunte Lawrence, 19, and Maya Wilkins, 20, in the 100 block of East 16th Street in Merced at about 11:22 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, according to a news release.

According to police, officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded handgun. During an investigation, authorities determined that the five suspects were involved in an incident at the Kewl Cats nightclub where they allegedly assaulted a person following a verbal argument, according to the news release.

All five suspects were arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony assault, weapons charges and gang enhancements, police said.

Merced Police ask anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Gang Violence Suppression Unit Sgt. Rodriguez at 209-385-4710, gvsu@cityofmerced.org or the Merced Police Department tipster line at 209-385-4752.

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

This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 6:32 PM.