On Saturday, March 31, 2018, the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) officers developed information that convicted felon Juan Espinoza 28-year-old had a gun and was located at his girlfriend’s home in the 300 block of Q Street.

GVSU officers authored a search warrant for the residence and Espinoza exited the apartment. During the search, officers located a handgun and ammunition inside the apartment. Espinoza admitted ownership of the gun and was arrested. He was booked at the Merced County Jail for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) Sgt. Rodriguez at (209) 385-4710, 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.