On October 15, 2014 at approximately 7:00 a.m., the Los Banos Police Department and Merced County Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant in the 1300 block of El Camino Way.
Officer Bill Westbrook and his K-9 partner Maximus assisted the officers in detecting hidden narcotics. The officers seized more than 22 grams of methamphetamine, 70 grams of marijuana and a loaded firearm during the search warrant.
42-year-old Michael Joseph Soto was arrested and booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail Facility. Soto was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for sales and related charges. Soto is currently out of custody after posting bail.
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
