Dos Palos, CA (November 3, 2025) — A Dos Palos man was taken into custody on October 20, 2025, after officers discovered multiple unregistered firearms and suspected narcotics during a traffic stop and subsequent search warrant.
According to the Dos Palos Police Department, Sgt. Chavez and Officer Enas responded to a report of a male subject parked in front of the State Foods Super Market on Virginia Avenue. When officers made contact, they discovered the man was in possession of a loaded concealed pistol and did not have a valid permit to carry the weapon. A search of the vehicle uncovered an AR-style pistol on the passenger-side floorboard, which the department identified as unregistered.
Following the arrest, officers obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 1600 block of Virginia Avenue. There, investigators found additional unregistered firearms along with suspected narcotics and related paraphernalia. The suspect, identified through Merced County Main Jail records as Mark Anthony Ortiz, was booked at 7:42 p.m. that evening on multiple firearm- and drug-related charges.
The police department did not release details on the exact types or quantities of narcotics seized, nor the serial numbers or classifications of the firearms. Formal charging information had not yet been posted to the public court docket as of press time.
The investigation remains active under the Dos Palos Police Department, which expressed appreciation for community assistance in its public statement.
