The Merced Police Department’s said, their Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) officers stopped a vehicle occupied by 26-year-old Jaime Avalos in the AM-PM parking lot on East Childs Avenue on August 22nd, 2019.

At approximately 7:24 P.M., Officers searched Avalos vehicle, during the search officers located an AK-47 assault rifle and high capacity magazines.

Avalos was arrested and booked at the Merced Country Sheriffs jail on assault weapon 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 GVSU@cityofmerced.org or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 3854725.

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.