Merced Man Arrested on Firearm, Stolen Property Charges During Search Warrant
Above: Items confiscated during search warrant | Merced PD
Authorities in Merced have arrested a man on firearm and stolen property charges following the serving of a search warrant last week.
According to a press release by the police department, Merced Police detectives and gang officers arrested a man on suspicion of possession of firearms and stolen property on March 24. The suspect, identified as Ricky Ornelas (39), was apprehended during the service of a search warrant on the 2000 block of East Childs Avenue in Merced.
According to police reports, officers received information that Ornelas was in possession of stolen property and firearms. As they served the warrant, Ornelas allegedly attempted to flee the scene by going out the back of the property. However, perimeter officers and the drone unit were able to track and arrest him.
During the search of the property, officers recovered several items, including a loaded .45 caliber handgun, a loaded .25 caliber handgun, numerous California ID cards, credit cards, checks, laptops, and pieces of mail. The officers also located a large stolen generator from the Fresno area. They will try to identify and notify the owners of the recovered items.
Ornelas was wanted for several violations of probation and was booked into Merced County jail. He faces charges related to his warrants, as well as the alleged possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, and possession of stolen property, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, and Merced police are asking that anyone with information relevant to the case to contact Officer Taylor Rocha at 209-388-7770 or rochat@cityofmerced.org.
Those wishing to remain anonymous may also contact the non-emergency Anonymous Tip Line at 209-385-4725, or may leave tips online via CrimeStoppers.
Other ways to contact the department and report crimes are through the Merced PD website, the non-emergency number at 209-385-6912 or, for emergencies, simply calling 911.
