Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012

2 on probation back in custody

Two men on probation were found to be in possession of stolen property and a firearm on Tuesday, police said.

Detective Jake Bento was in the 2000 block of Hastings Drive when he spotted Michael Mena, 30, and Ivan Caballero, 38, police said. Bento was aware they were on probation.When Bento approached, the men attempted to lock the car keys inside their vehicle, but failed to roll up the windows, police said.

Bento searched the men and the car, finding ammunition in Mena's pocket and a handgun in the vehicle, police said.

Police said Caballero was found to be in possession of burglary tools and stolen property related to a car burglary in Gustine.

Mena was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of ammunition, a felon in possession of a firearm and committing a felony while out on bail from a previous criminal case. Mena is in custody at the Merced Main Jail pending $142,500 bail.

Caballero was arrested on suspicion of possession of burglary tools and violation of his probation conditions. Caballero is being held at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility without bail.