Eight alleged members of the Sureno gang were arrested Thursday on accusations ranging from violation of probation to illegal possession of a firearm

Eight alleged members of the Sureno gang were arrested Thursday on accusations ranging from violation of probation to illegal possession of a firearm, the Merced Police Department said Friday.

A police officer on his way to work spotted a 17-year-old male he believed faced a warrant for weapons, according to police. The unidentified youth was driving on West 12th Street with two occupants inside.

The officer contacted the Merced Police Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit to verify the warrant. Officers responded to an apartment in the area and waited for the suspects to emerge.

"Before they could drive off the officers detained them," according to Sgt. Chris Goodwin. "Other officers arrived to assist and secure the apartment. The officers could hear people inside and announced for them to open the door. The subjects opened the door and the officers immediately recognized several of them on probation. All eight of the subjects inside were detained and the apartment was secured."

A search of the vehicle turned up a firearm. The juvenile was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm, having a firearm in his vehicle and participation in a criminal street gang.

The backyards of the apartments were searched and a second loaded firearm was located according to police.

Arrested and booked for violation of probation were Jose Ibarra, 23, and Luis Ibarra, 20, both of Merced.

Five other juveniles were arrested and booked for violation of their probation

You Might Also Like :