On October 19, 2018, the Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) developed information that convicted felon 23-year-old Gustavo Betancourt had firearms at his home in Atwater. Betancourt is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing any firearms.

GVSU officers and Probation officers conducted a probation search of Betancourt’s residence located in the 5200 block of Crest Road in Atwater. During the search, officers located a handgun and ammunition.

Officers contacted probationer Martin Sanchez 20-year-old inside the residence and arrested him for a felony warrant. Betancourt was arrested and booked at the Merced County jail for weapons charges. Sanchez was booked at the Merced County jail for the felony warrant.

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.