Passenger with gun arrested during traffic stop, police say

A passenger in a vehicle was arrested Thursday, after he was found to be in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop, according to authorities.

At about 2:26 p.m.,the Merced Police Department Gang Violence and Suppression Unit stopped a vehicle in the 800 block of R Street, according to a news release.

A passenger in the vehicle, identified as 21-year-old Agustin Hernandez Brito, was found to be in possession of a revolver located in his waistband, according to police.

Police said Brito initially provided officers with a false name and was found to be on probation out of Merced County.

Brito was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, illegal possession of ammunition and providing a false name, police said.

Merced Police ask anyone with information regarding the alleged crime to contact Officer Lupian at 209-388-7814 or by email at lupianc@cityofmerced.org.