January 29, 2023 - Merced – The Merced Police Department reported the following information. On Friday, January 27, 2023, at approximately 2:13 P.M., the Merced Police Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit arrested a man during the service of a search warrant with several firearms.

The Merced Police Departments Gang Officer Rocha obtained information regarding known gang member Jason Villa (43) possessing several firearms.

On January 27, 2023, gang officers served a search warrant in the 2000 block of Meadowbrook Ave. When officers arrived, Villa fled out the back of the home. The officers were able to arrest Villa and search his residence. Officers located three firearms, one of which was reported stolen. Villa was also found to possess ammunition and several high-capacity magazines.

Villa was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail for possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a stolen firearm and for resisting and obstructing a peace officer.

Merced PD Case Number: 23-4843

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Taylor Rocha at 209-388-7770 or by email at Rocha T@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 & photo: Merced Police Department