July 3, 2021 - Merced – Robert Valdez (43) was arrested for weapons-related charges and gang enhancements during an investigation into illegal fireworks.

On July 3rd, Merced Police Department officers responded to the area of “G” Street and La Purisima Street after receiving calls of illegal fireworks and possible gunshots.

Officers contacted several people at a small house party, including Robert Valdez (43) of Merced. The investigating officers located ammunition casings, illegal fireworks, and a .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm hidden in a bush in the front yard.

Valdez had ammunition that matched the firearm. Officers also discovered the firearm had been reported stolen.

Valdez was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm & ammunition, gang enhancements, and negligent discharge of a firearm. He was booked into custody at the Merced County Jail.

The homeowner was issued a $1,000 citation for the illegal fireworks.

Case Number: 21-39255

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Chavez at 209-385-6905 or by email at chaveze@cityofmerced.org.

Other ways to contact us or report crime include:

For any emergency call or text 911

For non-emergency call 209-385-6912

Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725

Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html.

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police.

Source: Merced Police Department