Deputies arrested wanted Florida felon in El Paso County

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect wanted on several misdemeanor and felony warrants Monday.

Yanko Lopez-Merino, 41, was pulled over by deputies after he was speeding on Highway 24 in Yoder. Upon getting stopped, Lopez-Merino gave authorities a fake Florida Driver’s license and was then asked to get out of the car.

During a pat search, a deputy felt the grip of a handgun. Lopez-Merino attempted to leave the scene, but deputies were able to detain him and place him in handcuffs. He was then searched again and authorities discovered that he was carrying a fully loaded weapon.

Lopez-Merino was found to have two felony full extradition warrants out of Florida for being a fugitive and failure to appear out of Douglas County on several misdemeanor charges.

Lopez-Merino was taken into custody and booked into the Criminal Justice Center Jail on outstanding warrants, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest.