On February 14, 2018, the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) officers developed information that gang member Benjamin Chandler Jr had an assault rifle at his home in Merced.

GVSU officers served a search warrant at Chandler’s residence in 3000 block of Park Ave in Merced. During the search, officers located a stolen assault rifle, a stolen handgun and ammunition inside his home. Chandler was arrested for possession stolen firearms and gang enhancements. He was booked at the Merced County jail for the mentioned charges.

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 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.