According to the Merced Police Department, officers from the gang violence suppression unit contacted 21-year-old Luke Roberts on February 8th, 2020, in the 300 Block of South Parsons Avenue.

Officers searched Roberts and located a loaded Masterpiece Arms, Defender 9mm handgun.

Roberts is a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing any firearms and a validated gang member, police said.

Roberts is on probation and was arrested and booked at the Merced County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and a gang enhancement.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-6912 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.