On July 13, 2019, the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) contacted gang member 33-year-old Juan Francisco Alvarez who was in a car in the 2200 block of Beachwood Drive in Merced.

Officers searched his car and located a handgun, a rifle and ammunition.

Alvarez was arrested and booked at the Merced County jail on the following charges, felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition and gang enhancements according to the Merced Police Department most recent post.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) Sgt. Rodriguez at (209) 385-4710 or GVSU@cityofmerced.org or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.

The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.