Merced Police Department

On September 24, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Merced Police Department officers received a call for service at a residence near Gracey Elementary School.

Upon arrival, the suspect fled from the residence. Out of an abundance of caution and to help ensure the safety of students and staff at Gracey Elementary School, the school was placed on lockdown.

The suspect was arrested shortly afterward and is now in police custody.

The lockdown at Gracey Elementary School has been lifted, and normal operations have resumed.

This week, we recognize and thank our Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) for the dedication, expertise, and attention to detail they demonstrate on every callout.

CSRT members can be called into action at any time, day or night, to respond to major incidents. Their work plays a critical role in helping detectives piece together what happened and ensuring evidence is properly documented and preserved.

From meticulously documenting crime scenes, collecting physical evidence, fingerprints, and serology, to capturing detailed photographs, every step is completed with precision and care. The evidence they collect and preserve can ultimately become an important part of a case in court.

We are proud to recognize the members of our CSRT and appreciate the important work they do behind the scenes to support investigations and serve our community.

Join us in celebrating our CSRT and their amazing work during National Forensic Science Week.

Secure Their Future with the Proper Car Seat

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Merced Police Department encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 21-27 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of car seat safety and proper installation.

“When it comes to protecting our youngest passengers, there is no room for guesswork,” Sergeant Jacob Fister said. “Child Passenger Safety Week is a good reminder of how critical it is to choose the right car seat and ensure it is installed properly.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.

Current California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years old are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat. Children 8 and older, or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

As of January 1, 2027, AB 435 requires children ages 8 to 16 years old to pass all steps of the “Five-Step Test”` before they can safely use a seat belt without a booster seat. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the Five-Step Test as a guide, before it becomes law in 2027, to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.
Funding for this program is provided b
y a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Today is National Crime Analyst Day, and we would like to recognize our Crime Analysts Lance Eber and Alfredo Arroyo on this day.

Our Crime Analysts collects and analyzes crime data, identifies trends and patterns, tracks crime activity, and creates maps and reports. Their work provides valuable information to our officers, and command staff, helping them better understand what is happening in our community and make informed decisions.

From analyzing where and when crimes are occurring to providing information that can assist with investigations and identifying crime trends, their work is an important part of our department's efforts to serve and protect the City of Merced.

Much of their work may happen behind the scenes, but their work is essential in keeping our community safe.

In 2023, Merced was impacted by flooding that damaged numerous homes throughout the community, particularly in areas near Bear Creek. Events like these remind us of the importance of being prepared and having access to timely emergency information.

This year, the Merced Police Department has been out in the community helping raise awareness about Everbridge, a countywide emergency notification program designed to keep residents informed during disasters and other emergencies.

Residents who register for Everbridge can receive emergency alerts and important information about situations affecting their area, including notifications when evacuation or shelter-in-place actions may be necessary.

Our goal is to have as many community members registered as possible to help ensure critical information reaches those who need it most, when it matters most.

Our first Elder Fraud Prevention presentation was a success! We had a great turnout and appreciate everyone who came out to learn more about how to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.

The Merced Police Department would like to remind everyone to stay vigilant and take steps to protect your personal information:

- Do not share personal information with anyone you do not know or trust.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it may be a scam.
- When in doubt, take a moment to verify before sending money or providing personal information.

Let’s look out for one another, stay informed, and work together to prevent fraud.

If you were unable to attend our first presentation, there will be others in the near future.

The Merced Police Department needs your help with identifying a suspect involved in a robbery at Home Depot. On August 22nd, 2026, the pictured suspect stole several items from the store then assaulted an employee who was attempted to stop him. The suspect was able to get away and has not been identified.

Any information can be directed to Detective Crain at 209-769-0340 or [email protected].

A Look at Police Services in Merced
Each month, the Merced Police Department responds to thousands of calls and provides services throughout our community, from emergency response and criminal investigations to traffic enforcement and proactive public safety efforts.
As Merced grows, maintaining the people, equipment, technology, and resources needed to serve our community remains important.
This monthly snapshot provides a look at the work happening every day to help keep Merced safe.
In service,
Chief Steven Stanfield