Los Banos Man Arrested After Deputy Finds Loaded Gun

Los Banos, CA (August 3, 2026) — A 27-year-old man was arrested after a Merced County sheriff’s deputy allegedly found him carrying a loaded concealed handgun during a patrol investigation in Los Banos.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Norris was patrolling near Creek Road and Cactus Drive on the night of July 30 when he observed two people believed to be consuming alcohol while standing next to a vehicle parked along the roadway.

During the investigation, Norris conducted a pat-down search of one of the individuals and allegedly found a concealed loaded handgun. The man was identified as Cesar Gomez.

Sheriff’s officials said Gomez did not have a concealed carry permit and the firearm was not registered to him.

Gomez was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and carrying a loaded firearm that was not registered to him.

The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active.

Article Originally Published At: https://losbanosenterprise.com/community/crime/2026/los-banos-man-arrested-after-deputy-finds-loaded-concealed-handgun/