Los Banos officers make gun arrest near where man was shot and killed, police say

Los Banos police officers doing extra patrol near an apartment complex where a man was shot and killed this week found a loaded gun and arrested a suspected gang member.

Police said in a news release that officers were providing extra patrol Tuesday night in the area of the apartment complex in the 2200 block of Gilbert Gonzalez Jr. Drive after residents expressed concern about gang activity. Just before 8:30 a.m. officers came upon a large group drinking in a park area near the apartments and officers discovered the loaded gun, keys and a backpack discarded in bushes.

John Padilla, 18, of San Jose, was arrested and booked into the Los Banos Police Department jail on suspicion of participation in criminal street gang activity and carrying a loaded firearm. He remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of $150,000 bond, according to jail records.

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 11:37 AM.