5 arrested in probation sweep

LIVINGSTON -- A probation sweep aimed at reducing crime and gang influences resulted in five arrests Wednesday.

The Livingston Police Department joined the Merced County Probation Department to conduct the operation.

• In Livingston, police searched the Eighth Street home of 20-year-old Gustavo Medina, said Sgt. Ray Fong, and found hashish oil in a soda can. The illegal drug, which Medina was arrested on suspicion of possessing, is extracted from marijuana.Medina also was arrested on suspicion of violating the gang conditions of his probation, Fong said.

• Officers then went to Chianti Court for 29-year-old Cristobal Zurita, Fong said. A search of the house revealed Zurita hiding under a bed. He surrendered without incident.

Zurita was in possession of a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine and a modified car key, which is used to steal cars, Fong said. He was arrested for three felony warrants in addition to the drug paraphernalia and burglary tools he was accused of having.

• At Ferrel Court in Delhi, 21-year-old Mark Clark was arrested on suspicion of violating the gang conditions of his probation.

• In Merced, 27-year-old Miguel Narvaez was arrested on suspicion of violating his probation, Fong said.

• While in Merced, officers found 51-year-old Angel Narvaez, who had two misdemeanor arrest warrants and was accused of being in possession of methamphetamine and a glass pipe, Fong said.

Chief Ruben Chavez of the Livingston Police Department said the arrests are part of stepped-up efforts to combat burglaries.

For several months, the Livingston Police Department has successfully pushed to reduce burglaries. Last month, that number dropped to zero. There have been two burglaries this month.

Three months after the Police Department started its campaign to reduce burglaries, more than a dozen suspects have been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries.

All suspects arrested Wednesday were booked at the Merced County Jail.