A man who was allegedly shooting off an unregistered firearm just outside of Los Banos has been arrested by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement said a deputy was patrolling the area of Volta and Pioneer roads on June 13 at approximately 10:44 p.m.
The deputy reportedly observed a vehicle parked along the canal bank and approached the area after hearing multiple gunshots. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy saw a man, later identified as 27-year-old Felipe De Jesus Reyes Vargas, walking away from the vehicle.
The vehicle fled the area, but Vargas was detained by the deputy, the sheriff’s office stated.
During the investigation, deputies learned that Vargas had been firing a handgun with friends and attempted to discard the firearm into nearby weeds as law enforcement arrived, authorities said.
Deputies searched the area and recovered an unregistered Glock semi-automatic handgun equipped with a 30-round high-capacity magazine, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vargas was arrested on suspicion of possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a loaded concealed firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine and resisting arrest. Vargas was booked into the Merced County Main Jail on a $1.05 million bond.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on social media warning about the dangers of indiscriminately shooting off guns.
“Illegal gunfire puts our communities at serious risk,” the department wrote. “Whether fired recklessly or intentionally, each round can injure an innocent person or damage property. Removing illegal firearms from our streets is one of the many ways our agency proactively protects Merced County residents.”
The sheriff’s office is asking the public to call 911 or the department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 209-385-7445 to report hearing any gunfire.
