Lodi police make two drug arrests, investigate separate gunshot incidents on Friday

The Lodi Police Department had another busy weekend, responding to two gunshot victims, juveniles brandishing a replica firearm and making two drug arrests, according to Lt. Fernando Martinez.

The Lodi Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit stopped two suspicious vehicles on Maria Lane at approximately 5:21 p.m. on Friday, and found evidence of drug possession and sales in both. Bryce Reed, 28, was arrested on suspicion of possessing one-eighth of an ounce of methamphetamine.

Tommy Vargas, 28, was found in possession of half an ounce of methamphetamine, and packaging was found at his residence on South Cherokee Lane when a search warrant was served, according to police.

Vargas was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell, and both suspects were booked into Lodi City Jail.

Responding to reports of a suspicious male who was bleeding near a business on the 700 block of South Cherokee Lane at approximately 8:48 p.m. on Friday, officers found a male who had suffered a gunshot wound. The male was transported to the hospital, where he was last reported as being in critical condition. No arrests have been made, and Martinez was unaware of any updates in the ongoing investigation.

After hearing approximately 10 gunshots in the area of North Central Avenue between Pine Street and East Elm Street at approximately 3:10 a.m. on Friday, officers located an 18-year-old gunshot victim on the 400 block of East Pine Street. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made in this ongoing investigation.

When officers responded to reports of juveniles brandishing a firearm in Downtown Lodi at approximately 7:48 p.m. on Thursday, they located six children ranging between 12 and 14 years old as well as a discarded BB gun believed to have been used. All six were arrested on suspicion of brandishing a replica firearm and released to their parents.