Probation search leads to discovery of drugs, stolen gun, Los Banos police say

A man was arrested in Los Banos on Thursday after a probation search led officers to the discovery of drugs and a gun, according to authorities.

At about 1:42 a.m., Los Banos Police Sgt. Justin Melden contacted 49-year-old Peter Mastroieni in the 700 block of Nevada Avenue after Melden witnessed him running from a parked vehicle, according to a Los Banos Police Department news release.

Police said Mastroieni was on Post Release Community Supervision. Officers conducted a probation search and found Mastroieni to be in possession of a large amount of cash as well as keys to the vehicle he was observed running away from, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded stolen handgun, about three-quarters of a pound of suspected methamphetamine as well as suspected heroin, according to the release.

Police obtained a search warrant for a residence, where they found additional suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin inside the home.

Mastroieni was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion being of felon in possession of a firearm, being in possession of a loaded firearm, being in possession of a controlled substance while armed and being in possession of a controlled substance for sales, according to police.

Jail records show Mastroieni is in custody in lieu of $270,000 bond.