Tuesday, May. 24, 2011

Police investigating gang shootings

Incident occurred during the weekend

Two men are recovering in a Modesto Hospital after being shot shot on Sunday.

Officers arrived at the 600 block of Overland Avenue at 9:55 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting. They located an 18-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm and a 21-year-old male who was shot in the face. Both victims were airlifted to Memorial Hospital, Modesto and are in stable condition, police said.

Detectives reportedly located several bullet casings in the area and are investigating this as a gang-related incident. Police have not released a description of a suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Justin Melden at (209) 827-7070 ext 114 or leave a tip on the city website at www.losbanos.org.

Arrests made

A Saturday afternoon traffic stop led to the arrest of two gang members, police said.

Officer Jesus Parras was in the area of Scripps and College Greens drives when he observed a male, 30-year-old Carlos Salinas, inside of a vehicle who was wanted for a parole violation, police said.

Parras stopped the vehicle and spoke with Salinas and the driver, 36-year-old Joe Parra. Both men are validated criminal street gang members.

Parras found a loaded handgun in the vehicle and both men were arrest on suspicion of illegal possession of a firearm,possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place or street and felon in possession of ammunition.

Salinas remains in custody at the Merced Jail with no bail. Parra has posted bail and is scheduled to appear in Merced County Superior Court on June 21.