Suspected gang members arrested with gun, after report of fight, police say

Three suspected gang members were arrested Sunday after officers located a firearm, according to authorities.

According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of Grizzly Street and Citadel Avenue at about 1:33 a.m., for a reported fight involving suspected gang members armed with a gun.

After arriving on scene, police said the officers recognized multiple suspected street gang members walking along Citadel Avenue. The suspects were stopped and detained while officers investigated. A pat down was completed while the suspects were detained, police said.

According to police, one of the suspects, identified as Vincente Mandujano, was found to be in possession of the loaded handgun.

Another suspect, identified as Robert Yanez Jr., was found to be on parole and suspect Saul Soriano was found to be intoxicated, according to police.

The reporting party refused to speak with police, according to the news release.

Mandujano was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of carrying a concealed handgun in public, possession of a high capacity magazine, gang member in possession of a concealable handgun, possession of a firearm with no serial number and committing a crime for the benefit of a street gang, according to the release.

Yanez Jr. was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of parole violation and being an active participant in a criminal street gang, police said.

Soriano was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of public intoxication and being an active participant in a criminal street gang, according to police.

Merced Police ask anyone with information regarding the alleged crime to contact Officer Wilson at 209-388-7757 or by email at wilsonc@cityofmerced.org.

This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 12:54 PM.