Police: Merced gang officers seize guns from convicted felons

Merced police seized several guns, including an AR-15 rifle and 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, from alleged gang members in two separate incidents this week, the Police Department reported.

The Merced Area Gang/Narcotic Enforcement Team assisted the Merced Police Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit in confiscating the weapons, police said in a news release.

In the first incident, a tip led officers Wednesday to the 300 block of Brookdale Drive searching for 31-year-old Justin Brazil, a convicted felon, who allegedly possessed a sawed-off shotgun, according to police.

The officers went into the home and found a 12-gauge, sawed-off shotgun. Brazil wasn’t in the home.

Officers received another tip that a home in the Beachwood area also may have several guns. Officers and agents served a search warrant on a residence, and a 15-year-old male ran out the back door. He was apprehended and officers found that he was wanted in a forcible rape investigation, according to the news release.

Inside the home was Nathaniel Munguia, a 23-year-old Merced resident who was described by police as a known gang member. Officers found a .223 AR-15 rifle with a scope, a .22-caliber, bolt-action rifle and two .380-caliber handguns, officers said.

A large military duffel bag in the residence contained ammunition, holsters and gun magazines, according to the release.

Munguia was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of possession of guns and ammo as a felon, and for gang enhancements, police said.

So far in 2016, GVSU and MAGNET agents have seized nearly 55 guns illegally possessed by gang members.

Anyone with information regarding the two incidents is encouraged to contact Merced police Sgt. Brian Rodriguez at 209-385-6905.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 7:08 PM with the headline "Police: Merced gang officers seize guns from convicted felons."