Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012

Juvenile arrested on weapons charge

Police last week arrested a juvenile on weapons charges.

After responding to a disturbance in the 700 block of Iowa Avenue at 11:10 p.m. Saturday, Los Banos police officer Kristifer Hew observed a 17-year-old male walking from the area. As the officer stopped his vehicle, he noticed the juvenile hiding something behind a fence, police said.

The officer stopped the juvenile and determined he was on Merced County Probation. The officer searched the juvenile and found live shotgun ammunition in his possession, police said. Behind the fence was a loaded, short-barreled shotgun, police said.

Cmdr. Ray Reyna Jr., the police spokesman, said both the barrel and stock of the shotgun had been shortened. Reyna said police do not know what the juvenile's intentions would have been with the shotgun.

"We do know he is a local gang member," he said.

The juvenile was placed under arrest and transported to the Merced County Juvenile Hall facility on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a loaded firearm by a gang member, felon in possession of a firearm and being a minor in possession of ammunition.

To leave a tip, call (209) 827-7070, ext. 288, or go to the Police Department's Web page, www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the "Contact" page, click on the "report graffiti and other crime" link.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanosenterprise.com.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanosenterprise.com.