Gang member with loaded Glock arrested in Winton, authorities say

WINTON -- A 17-year-old admitted gang member was arrested in Winton after deputies found him with a loaded handgun in his waistband, authorities said.

Just after 6 p.m. Thursday, members of the Merced County sheriff's tactical and reconnaissance team were patrolling Winton when Detectives Ruben Orozco and Chris Sziraki came across a parked Lexus with five people inside near Peridot Avenue and West Nicholas Place.

Deputy Tom MacKenzie said that when the detectives approached the vehicle, the 17-year-old boy got out. After questioning, the detectives discovered that he was armed with a .40-caliber Glock, MacKenzie said. The boy admitted to being a gang member, he said.

The other four people in the vehicle were questioned and released. The boy was taken to Merced County Juvenile Hall on charges of possession of a loaded firearm and being a gang member in possession of a firearm.