On December 13, 2013 at approximately 1:47 p.m., the Los Banos Police Department responded to the 700 Block of West H Street regarding a fight. When Officers arrived they contacted a 29-year-old male who reported he was parked in front of a store waiting for a friend when he was approached by 20-year old Jahudine Mendoza, 21-year-old Marcelino Lara, and 25-year-old Juan Jose Lara.
The victim reported that the three suspects asked what his gang affiliation was, but the victim denied being a gang member. The victim reported that one of the suspects struck his vehicle several times, shattering one of his vehicle windows. The suspects were last seen leaving the area in a silver Jeep.
Several minutes later an Officer located the suspect vehicle as it was leaving Los Banos, east on Pacheco Boulevard. The vehicle was stopped and the three suspects were placed under arrest. During a vehicle search, Officers located a loaded handgun hidden in the vehicle. All three suspects were placed under arrest and booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail pending $100,000.00 bail, charged with participation in a criminal street gang and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Marcelino Lara and Juan Jose Lara have posted bond and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
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
