October 2, 2023 - Merced – Merced Police Department officials report that Victor Chavez (32) arrested on firearm related charges. On Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at 3:35 A.M., Officer Mendoza conducted a random patrol of the Quality Inn & Courtyard Marriot parking lots. He witnessed a suspicious person crouching out of sight behind a parked motor vehicle. The person was later identified as Chavez.
Officer Mendoza took immediate action and detained Chavez under reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Officers searched the area where Chavez was hiding and found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm. Officers also recovered surveillance footage which depicted Chavez hiding behind the parked vehicle.
Chavez is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history. He was released back into the community in 2022 under AB109.
Chavez was arrested for weapon charges including being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm and ammunition. He was booked into custody at the Merced County Jail.
Case Number: 23-51793
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Moreno at 209-388-7794 or by email at mendozam@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
