Two gang members are now behind bars after being involved in a chase with Merced Police officers.

Officers attempted a vehicle stop in the area of M street and West 11th at around 5:47 p.m. Friday, the vehicle sped off from officer Odom and Seargent Perez.

Police say the vehicle then stopped at the railroad tracks in the 1500 block of Canal Street, where a passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Seargent Perez was able to apprehend the subject who ran from the vehicle, he was identified as 21-year-old Cristian Venegas.

The driver of the vehicle sped off and Officer Odom continued to pursue the vehicle. The vehicle then stopped again at 14th and Martin Luther King Jr Way. The driver was arrested and identified as 21-year-old Rafael Francisco.

When Venegas was arrested by Seargent Perez, he was in possession of two handguns. Police say both handguns were reported stolen and both subjects were determined to be local gang members.

Officer Odom stated, “It is important to get guns out of the hands of gang members because you can’t quantify how many lives it just saved”.

Both Venegas and Francisco were booked for criminal street gang members in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and gang enhancements. Francisco was also charged with several vehicle code violations including felony evading in a vehicle.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at Odoms@cityofmerced.org.