October 14, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on the evening of October 11, 2026, Deputies responded to a residence near Vine Avenue and Walnut Avenue in Winton for a home invasion. The victim reported that two males forced entry into the residence and held the victim, preventing her from leaving. The suspects then fled before deputies arrived.

Through coordinated efforts, and with assistance from the Merced Police Department and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Sable 6 helicopter, deputies located the suspects and their vehicle at a residence in the 1500 block of Hansen Avenue in Merced. The suspects, identified as 20-year-old Gurson Bahia and 25-year-old Dylan Lopez Kong, were arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail for home invasion and false imprisonment.

We want to thank the Merced Police Department for their assistance and collaboration during this incident. This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact our Detectives Bureau at 209.385.7472, or leave an anonymous tip at the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 209.385.7547 or SheriffTips@countyofmerced.com.

Source & photos: Merced County Sheriff’s Office