Contact with gang members at cemetery leads to gun arrest, Merced police say
A known gang member was arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing a firearm in Merced on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
The Merced Police Gang Violence Suppression Unit contacted several known gang members at the cemetery on the 1300 block of B Street.
A search of their car turned up a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun by the center console. Police said that he officers knew from previous contacts that the gun belonged to Javier Ceja, 29, of Merced. Ceja was with the group of people at the cemetery.
Ceja has a criminal history which prevents him from possessing any firearms, according to police. Ceja was booked at the Merced County Jail for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and gang enhancements. His bail was set at $210,000, according to jail records.
Merced police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at odoms@cityofmerced.org.
