2 gang members arrested in Merced, police say
A Planada gang member was arrested at a Merced hotel carrying a loaded assault rifle, according to the Merced Police Department.
Vanessa Hurtado, 33, was arrested about 11 p.m. Friday leaving the Motel 6 parking lot in the 1400 block of V Street, police said in a news release.
Hurtado has been arrested dozens of times dating to 2012, mostly on suspected probation violations or drug-related charges. She was recently named to Merced County’s Most Wanted on suspected probation violations, according to booking records.
Officers seized the loaded assault rifle, police said.
Investigators also spotted 32-year-old Steven Aguilar at the same hotel.
“Officers were aware Aguilar was wanted for felony warrants,” police said in the statement. “Aguilar was taken into custody at the motel and was found to be carrying a loaded .45 caliber handgun and wearing body armor.”
Aguilar and Hurtado were booked at Merced County jail on several warrants, as well as on suspicion of being felons in possession of weapons, conspiracy, possession of an assault weapon and gang enhancements, according to police.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sgt. Robert Solis at 209-385-4703, or the Merced Police Department Tip Line at 209-385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to the police by dialing 847411 and including the word “Comvip” as the keyword in the message.
This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 3:30 PM with the headline "2 gang members arrested in Merced, police say."