Brandishing Report Leads to Gang, Weapons Arrests in Kern County
Above: Items confiscated during arrests | Kern County Sheriff’s Office
A report of a firearm brandishing reportedly led to the arrests of three people on a variety of charges, including gun and gang charges, in Kern County.
According to a press release by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Wasco Substation responded to a report of the brandishing of a firearm on the 1800 block of F Street yesterday at approximately 10:30 AM. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the individuals allegedly involved were in a white four-door Dodge Charger and had been seen circling the area multiple times. After brandishing the firearm, the individuals reportedly fled the scene in the aforementioned vehicle.
Authorities initiated a search of the vicinity and located a vehicle matching the given description near the 2400 block of Highway 46. Deputies pulled the car over and detained the three occupants in the vehicle, identified as Justin Pineda Mendez (18), Kevin Madrigal (22), and Adan Acosta (18), all of Wasco.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officials uncovered two firearms. A quantity of vape pens and concentrated cannabis, indicative of illegal sales, was also seized at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Mendez, Madrigal, and Acosta were subsequently arrested and booked into the Central Receiving Facility. Charges alleged against them reportedly include exhibiting a firearm, making criminal threats, possession of a large capacity magazine, concealed weapon in a vehicle, conspiracy, carrying a loaded firearm by a gang member, participation in a criminal street gang, child cruelty, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession of concentrated cannabis.
Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information to come forward and contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
