On December 15, 2013 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Sergeant Ivan Mendez stopped a black Mercedes in the 1300 Block of Canal Farm Lane for an equipment violation. The Sergeant contacted the vehicle occupants, 24-year-old Ruben Guzman and 24-year-old Manuel Delgado along with three other adults and one juvenile.
While the Sergeant was speaking with the vehicle occupants he noticed several open alcohol containers in the vehicle. The subjects were each removed from the vehicle and during a search a loaded handgun was found concealed in the vehicle. After an investigation Guzman and Delgado were placed under arrest for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and participation in a criminal street gang. Both suspects were booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail pending $50,000.00 bail.
“Our Officers work very hard to take guns out of the hands of gang members because we believe this contributes to a safer community. Unfortunately, we continue to take reports of firearms being stolen from vehicles on a regular basis. This week we took a report of 4 guns stolen from a vehicle because the owner forgot or was unwilling to secure them in his residence. Responsible gun ownership should be important to everyone living and visiting Los Banos because when guns are stolen they are typically used to harm others or against Law Enforcement.”
-Ray Reyna, Commander
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
