Probation check leads to gang member arrest in central Fresno

A gang member was arrested Tuesday after detectives performing a mandatory probation check of the central Fresno apartment of the man’s friend discovered a handgun hidden in pieces.

Kimberly Sharpe, 36, had just been released on probation on a previous narcotics charge the same day detectives performed the search around 6:20 p.m. at her apartment in the 100 block of East Olive Avenue.

When detectives approached the apartment, Felix Uribe, 27, attempted to run out of the back of the apartment but returned upon seeing detectives. The residents barred entrance to the detectives for nearly 10 minutes before they forcibly entered it.

Upon searching the apartment, detectives found pieces of a .40 caliber Glock handgun, some within a bag of frozen french fries, others hidden within the frame of a water heater.

Uribe, who was on post release community supervision, was subject to a search. Detectives discovered pictures of Uribe holding the gun on his cellphone. Sharpe said that Uribe, a known gang member, told her not to let police in for fear of being arrested for the firearm.

Uribe was booked into the Fresno County Jail for a variety of weapons-related offenses as well as resisting arrest. Sharpe was not charged.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 9:38 PM with the headline "Probation check leads to gang member arrest in central Fresno."