Two gang members arrested in Atwater, police say

Two men, described by police as known gang members, were arrested Thursday in Atwater by the Merced County Multi-Agency Gang Task Force.

Cornelius Gilchrist, 23, of Merced, and Daniel Johnson, 23, of Atwater, were taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. Thursday at a Determine Drive home in Atwater, the Merced Police Department said in a news release.

Agents learned Gilchrist, who was on parole for weapons and drug convictions, was “hiding out” at the Atwater apartment.

After serving the search warrant, agents found Johnson, who has a lengthy criminal history, including weapons and drug convictions, police said.

Officers said Johnson was allegedly involved last year in a high-speed chase in Arkansas during which shots were fired at pursuing law enforcement officers.

Both suspects were taken into custody without incident.

“During the search of the apartment no contraband was located but an ambulance was called regarding a child that was having difficulty breathing,” police said in the statement.

There was no word on the child’s condition Friday.

Both Gilchrist and Johnson were booked into Merced County jail.

This story was originally published January 9, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Two gang members arrested in Atwater, police say."