Merced, CA- On March 15, 2019, the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) Officers stopped a vehicle driven by gang member Carlos Almeida 35-year-old, for a vehicle code violation.

Officers searched his vehicle and located a handgun and ammunition hidden under the center console. Almeida is a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing any firearms. Almeida was arrested and booked at the Merced County jail for felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition and gang enhancements.

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) 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.