August 13, 2022 - Merced – The Sheriff S.T.A.R. Team and the Merced PD Gang Unit arrested several Gang members Friday, August 12, 2022. Two of the gang members were in possession of firearms.

On August 12, 2022, at approximately 4:00 P.M. the Merced Police Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit was assisting the Sheriffs S.T.A.R. team in the City of Atwater. The Officers and Deputies located a group of gang members hanging out near the corner of Olive Ave. and Willow Ave.

As the officers attempted to contact the subjects, one of them fled on foot. The officers were able to catch the man identified as Guillermo Madrigal (19) as he threw a loaded 9mm ghost gun. Madrigal was also found in possession of several baggies containing methamphetamine.

At the same time Deputies arrested another man from the group identified as Joseph Ochoa (20) who was in possession of a loaded 45 caliber handgun. Deputies also arrested Alberto Grijalva (26) for a violation of his parole conditions. Grijalva was booked into Merced County Jail. Madrigal was booked into jail for firearms violations, narcotics violations, resisting arrest and gang enhancements. Ochoa was booked into jail for firearms violations and gang enhancements.

Merced PD Case Number: 22-47336

Merced Sheriff Case Number: 22-35564

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Justin Saldivar at 209-388-7735 or by email at SaldivarJ@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