Merced County: Man arrested on suspicion of DUI also had AK47-style rifle, ammo in vehicle

“Planada, CA – On March 31, 2021 at approximately 10:30 PM, Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies were patrolling the area of Kraft Road and Arguello Drive in Planada when a white colored Jaguar failed to stop at a stop sign and almost ran into their patrol unit.

Deputies initiated an enforcement stop and contacted the driver, identified as 20-year-old Benjamin Avina-Avila. During the stop, deputies quickly took Avina-Avila into custody after seeing a short barreled AK-47 style assault rifle with a high capacity magazine laying on the rear passenger side floor board. Deputies also found a high capacity magazine drum laying next to the rifle, along with several empty beer bottles throughout the vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) conducted a DUI investigation with Avina-Avila and he was booked into the Merced County Jail on several firearms charges, vehicle code violations, and driving under the influence charges.”