According to the Merced Police Department,  officer’s contacted several subjects in the 2200 block of “G” street at approximately 4:21 p.m. today.

According to Seargent Foster, one subject took off running shortly after being contacted by officers.

The subject was located a short distance away and found to be a 16-year-old male juvenile. The juvenile threw a loaded firearm as he took off running from Officers.

The juvenile is a validated Norteno gang member. He was arrested and booked at the Merced County juvenile hall for possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, resisting, delaying and obstructing arrest and gang enhancements.

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.