Crime

Ceres police arrest 19-year-old in park after finding loaded handgun

A loaded handgun and magazine recovered by Ceres police during an arrest April 25, 2026, near Don Pedro Park in Ceres.
A loaded handgun and magazine recovered by Ceres police during an arrest April 25, 2026, near Don Pedro Park in Ceres. Ceres Police Department

A 19-year-old man was arrested late Saturday after Ceres police said officers found a loaded handgun concealed in his waistband during a contact at a city park.

According to the Ceres Police Department, the incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. April 25 at Don Pedro Park. Officer Kyle Hatcher was on patrol when he observed a group of individuals gathered at a bench after park hours. Police said the group was believed to include gang members.

Officers contacted the group, and during the encounter found a loaded handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine concealed on one of the individuals, identified as Ayden Duran, 19.

Duran was taken into custody and booked on multiple weapons-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm by a gang member, police said.

Authorities did not release additional details about the circumstances leading up to the contact or whether others in the group were cited or detained.

In a statement, the department said it “takes gang-related violence and the illegal possession of firearms seriously” and remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts to ensure public safety.

A loaded handgun and magazine recovered by Ceres police during an arrest April 25, 2026, near Don Pedro Park in Ceres.
A loaded handgun and magazine recovered by Ceres police during an arrest April 25, 2026, near Don Pedro Park in Ceres. Ceres Police Department
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