Richmond Man Nabbed for Alleged Gun Possession in Pickleweed Park

San Rafael Police arrested a Richmond man Saturday afternoon on suspicion that he brought a loaded gun into the playground area of Pickleweed Park and carried that gun into a car that contained seven people, including unrestrained three young children.

David Arce, 21, was booked into Marin County Jail at around 5 p.m. Saturday on six charges, including suspicion of carrying of a loaded gun in a public place and in a car and child endangerment, according to San Rafael police Sgt. Lisa Holton.

Police received a report at 4:26 p.m. from a witness saying there was a man with a gun in the Canal neighborhood park’s playground area. Police said they spotted the man and the silver car he was in leaving the park as officers were arriving, and pulled the car over on Kerner Blvd. a few minutes later, Holton said.

The contained four adults and three children, ages seven months to 3 years old. None of the children were in car seats, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol was found on the front passenger seat of the car.

Police also arrested 21-year-old Mercedes Bell, also of Richmond, on suspicion of child endangerment. Police said Bell is the mother of one of the children and was responsible for caring for the other two. The children were released to a family member.

Anyone with information about this crime can place an anonymous call to San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000, Crime Stoppers at (800) 222.8477, or through the Crime Stoppers website.