Suspect wanted for manufacturing firearms after search of Merced home, police say

Authorities are looking for a man after locating guns, narcotics and firearm manufacturing equipment in a Merced home.

At about 2 p.m. Saturday, Merced Gang Violence Suppression Unit Officers served a search warrant at a home in the unit block of East La Purisima Street, while following up on information that the resident, identified as Jason Martinez, 28, was in possession of illegal firearms, according to a Merced Police Department social media post.

During a search of the home, officers located multiple handguns, an AR-15 style rifle, narcotics, ammunition and firearms manufacturing equipment, according to police. Martinez was not home at the time of the search and is currently wanted on suspicion of firearms manufacturing related charges and firearms possession, authorities said.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged crime is asked to contact Officer Saldivar at 209-388-7735 or by email at saldivarj@cityofmerced.org.

Anonymous tips can be reported to police by calling 209-385-4725 and some crimes can be reported through the Merced Police Department website.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through the Merced Area Crime Stoppers website.