Merced Police: Felon Arrested After Loaded Gun Falls Out of Waistband During Traffic Stop
Above: Gun confiscated during arrest
(Courtesy of Merced PD)
An 18-year-old individual was reportedly arrested on weapon charges with gang enhancements following a vehicle stop.
According to a press release by the Merced Police Department, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle near Merced and North Parson Avenues just after 4:30 AM on Friday, September 22. One of the five occupants was on probation and subject to search conditions, police said.
The individual in question, identified as Manuel Macias, complied with officers’ requests and exited the vehicle. During the encounter, officers reportedly observed Macias cradling an object in his front waistband, leading to a pat-down search. During the search, a firearm allegedly fell to the ground outside of the vehicle.
The gun reportedly turned out to be a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm, which Macias is prohibited from possessing due to prior convictions.
As a result, Macias was arrested on weapon charges, including being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, and faced gang enhancements. He was booked into custody at the Merced County jail.
