Merced Police arrested a man and two juveniles on gang enhancement and weapon charges.

Officers with the Merced Police Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1100 block Canal Street in the City of Merced.

Two male juvenile passengers immediately ran from the vehicle, both were apprehended a block away by officers.

Officers checked the area where the juveniles ran and located a 9mm semi-auto handgun and a high capacity magazine discarded on the ground.

The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-,old Robert Yanez, is a validated gang member on parole, according to Merced Police.

Yanez was booked at the Merced County Jail for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, vehicle code violations, gang enhancements and a parole violation.

Both juveniles were booked at the Merced County Juvenile Hall for weapons charges and gang enhancements.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Odom at (209) 388-7814.