On June 20, 2018 at about 4:30 pm, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Bureau took 24-year-old Juan Ceja-Prado of Planada into custody. Ceja-Prado was the primary suspect in the double homicide that took place at the taco truck in Planada earlier this year. The Detectives Bureau served a search warrant on Ceja-Prado’s residence.

Ceja-Prado was arrested when he reported into probation later that day.
Sheriff Vern Warnke and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Community of Planada for their help over the past few months. With the Community and Sheriff’s Office working together, we have been able to take criminals like Ceja-Prado off the streets and in return the crime in Planada has decreased significantly. Between October 1, 2017 and June 15, 2018, The Sheriff’s Office has noticed a decrease of about 80% in gang related crimes in Planada. Below is the breakdown of call volume.

October 1, 2017 to March 26, 2018
Reason for Calls: Number Of Calls:

Penal Code 246 – Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Car – 5

Penal Code 245 – Assault with a deadly weapon – 4

Call for Service Code 232 – Suspected Shots Fired – 17

March 26, 2018 to June 15, 2018
Reason for Calls: Number Of Calls:

Penal Code 246 – Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Car – 1

Penal Code 245 – Assault with a deadly weapon – 1

Call for Service Code 232 – Suspected Shots Fired – 8

If you have any information regarding a crime that has occurred, please contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 385-7445. You can remain anonymous and your tip could help in solving a crime and bring justice to criminals.