2 suspected armed gang members arrested after drinking in Merced bar, police say

Two suspected gang members were arrested over the weekend, accused of running from police while armed after drinking in a downtown bar, the Merced Police Department reported.

One of the men, 18-year-old Alex M. Nanez, was allegedly served alcohol at 1636 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced police said in a news release.

Officers responded around 11:15 p.m. Friday to the bar after receiving a report of underage drinking. Police said Nanez ran from officers, but was found hiding near the train tracks in the 100 block of West 16th Street. Officers found a loaded .357 revolver nearby they believe Nanez had been carrying, police said.

Evan De Los Santos, 22, was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed, unregistered, loaded 9 mm handgun and booked at the Merced County jail. He faces additional allegations of street-gang participation and marijuana possession, booking records show.

Nanez was booked at the Merced County jail on gang and weapons charges.

Both men remained in custody Sunday afternoon, according to booking records.

Police said two people at the bar, John De Los Santos, 24, and bartender Jose Miguel Rojas, 39, were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Attempts to reach the bar by telephone were unsuccessful.

This story was originally published September 13, 2015 at 3:57 PM with the headline "2 suspected armed gang members arrested after drinking in Merced bar, police say."