Two Merced brothers arrested on suspicion of gang-related child endangerment
A search of an alleged gang member’s home last week ended with two brothers behind bars after officers found at least one loaded gun “within easy reach” of two young children, the Merced Police Department reported.
Adrean Castillo, 30, described by police as a known gang member, was arrested Thursday, along with his brother, Steven, 33, following a search of an apartment in the 1000 block of East 23rd Street in Merced, police said in a news release.
“The two firearms were on the floor, under the bed in the single-bedroom apartment,” Sgt. Joe Weiss told the Sun-Star. “Those kids could’ve easily just grabbed those guns, one of them loaded.”
Steven Castillo is the father of the children, a boy and a girl, both under the age of 7. The children were turned over to Child Protective Services, Weiss said in a telephone interview.
The search warrant was served just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday by the Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit and the Disruptive Area Response Team.
“It’s high-crime area for us, and we received information that Adrean Castillo had a gun at that residence,” Weiss said. “He’s a person prohibited from having a firearm.”
Officers also found pipes they believe were used to smoke marijuana and scales, which are typically associated with weighing marijuana for distribution, police said.
Adrean Castillo was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, being a gang member in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, child endangerment and gang enhancements, police said.
Adrean Castillo was still in custody Saturday on more than $400,000 bail, according to booking records. Details of his prior criminal convictions were not available Saturday, but Weiss confirmed that law enforcement has been in contact with Adrean Castillo numerous times.
Steven Castillo was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and gang enhancements. He was released from custody the following day, according to booking records.
Merced police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Weiss at (209) 385-4754, or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to the police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message. Tips are confidential and callers may remain anonymous.
This story was originally published January 10, 2015 at 1:47 PM with the headline "Two Merced brothers arrested on suspicion of gang-related child endangerment."