APD’s Gun Violence Street Team Arrests Convicted Felon on Gun and Narcotics Charges
Dec. 16, 2022
Detectives with APD’s Gun Violence Street Team have arrested Erik Merz, 53, on gun and narcotics charges.
GVST detectives received information from officers in the Valley Area Command about a male, identified as Erik Merz, having an active felony warrant for his arrest for Possession of Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon. Merz was identified to have a violent criminal history and had been making threats to nearby business tenants and was refusing to vacate his property along Veranda Rd N.W.
On December 14, 2022 detectives began conducting surveillance on Merz’s residence. During surveillance efforts, GVST detectives were able to positively identify a male subject who exited the residence as Merz. He entered a truck and left the home where detectives continued surveillance. Detectives were able to observe a black handgun tucked into the back of Merz’s waistband. He was seen inside several businesses and at one point entered a post office with the handgun tucked in the back of his waistband which he was seen concealing with his jacket just prior to entering the building.
On December 15, 2022 GVST detectives continued surveillance on Merz who was back at his residence. Once he was positively identified entering his residence, detectives came up with a plan to take him into custody. With the assistance from the Investigative Support Unit, Gun Violence Suppression Unit, K-9 Unit and Electronic Support Unit, Merz exited the residence and was taken into custody by detectives without incident. As a result of surveillance efforts, GVST detectives were able to secure a search warrant for the residence as well as the truck at the property.
The following was seized during the execution of the search warrant:
- 7 handguns (9mm, .38 special, .380)
- 4 shotguns including two sawed off shotguns and a short-barreled shotgun
- 1 AR style rifle
- Multiple pistol and rifle magazines
- Several hundred rounds of ammunition
- Two red dot optics
- Several canisters of black rifle powder
- 150 Fentanyl pills
- 14 grams of methamphetamine
Erik Merz was booked for his felony and misdemeanor warrant. He will also face additional drug trafficking and firearms charges as a result of the search warrant.