Merced Gang Unit Officer Odom located a semi-automatic handgun inside a vehicle during a traffic stop at around 5:00 Friday afternoon.

Officer Odom stopped the vehicle in the area of South Street and Home Avenue, the Merced Police Department said.

The driver was identified as 36-year-old Angel Llamas, police say he is a validated gang member on Merced County Probation.

Llamas has a criminal history preventing him from being in possession of any firearms or ammunition.

He was booked at Merced County Jail for possession of a firearm and having ammunition by a prohibited person.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at odoms@cityofmerced.org.