Fresno’s “Felon with a Gun” Operation Leads to Two Arrests, Warrant for Third
FRESNO – A 48-hour operation intended to disarm convicted felons in Fresno led the Fresno Police Department’s Street Violence officers to arrest two suspects and confiscate seven guns this week.
The campaign included a special unit of officers tasked with disarming criminals and rewards of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of armed felons. A billboard campaign notified the public throughout the city.
“We are not opposed to people having firearms,” Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said, referring to law-abiding citizens.
However, he said there “is no shortage of firearms in the hands of the wrong people.”
Most weapons found on gang members have either been stolen, bought by a friend, or brought across state lines. The campaign sought to target all three of these avenues to illegal possession.
This week’s operation resulted in the execution of three search warrants. Police searched a home at 2390 S. Walnut St. on Monday and found on M1A1 rifle hidden behind a mattress. Jermaine Stanley, 24, told police he knew the weapon was hidden in his room. Stanley, who was on probation for narcotics charges, was arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail on weapons charges.
A home on 3741 E. Grant Ave. was also searched on Monday, leading to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle, an SKS rifle, a Ruger 10/22 rifle, a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun and a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. The home’s resident, 25-year-old Irvin Leon, was not home, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On Tuesday, officers searched a residence at 220 E. Whitesbridge Ave., and found a loaded .38-caliber derringer, prescription medication packaged for sale and $7,000 in cash.
As the officers were searching the home, they saw resident Timothy McKinney, 57, driving home. He tried to speed away, but officers pursued him and eventually arrested him.
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Fresno Bee: Fresno police arrest two
