Two suspects arrested after report of residential burglary, Merced police say

Two suspects have been arrested following a report of a residential burglary in Merced, according to police.

According to Merced Police Lt. Alan Ward, a homeowner called police at about 3 a.m. Monday, to report that he witnessed someone leave his garage in the 3500 block of Veranda Court. According to Ward, it was determined the suspect entered the victim’s garage and took two boxes of .223 ammunition before leaving in a silver sedan.

Officers later located the suspect vehicle in the 3100 block of R Street just after 6 a.m., according to a police department news release. The officers made contact with the vehicle’s occupants and identified them as Joseph Malta, 26, and Linda Salazar, 35, both of Merced, according to police news release.

During a search of the vehicle officers located and recovered the property. Officers also found narcotics and an explosive device similar to a modified M-80, police said. Ward said the device is a commercially manufactured explosive and is illegal in California.

The Merced Police Department’s bomb unit responded to collect the device, according to police.

Malta was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance, violation of probation, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition and possession of destructive device or explosive and misdemeanor possession of burglary tools, according to jail records.

Salazar was booked on suspicion of felony residential burglary, possessing stolen property and misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, possession for burglary tools and unlicensed driver, according to jail records.