Three men are in custody after a Friday night incident in northeast Marion County led deputies to recover multiple firearms, including an AR-style rifle. The arrests followed a brief foot pursuit and a coordinated response by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
According to officials, the incident began around 9:00 p.m. on November 7, 2025, when deputies responded to reports of three men tagging a mailbox in the 4600 block of 39th Avenue NE. When deputies arrived, they located a white sedan believed to be connected to the suspects and noticed open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle.
While deputies were conducting their investigation, one of the suspects ran from the scene on foot. Deputies immediately pursued him, observing that he was carrying a firearm as he fled. During the chase, the suspect discarded the weapon before being safely taken into custody after a short pursuit.
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Deputies then called in K9 Marco to assist in searching the area. The K9 unit played a key role in locating the discarded firearm and additional weapons hidden nearby. In total, deputies recovered three handguns and an AR-style rifle equipped with a drum magazine, a weapon capable of holding a high volume of ammunition.
Following the search and recovery, all three suspects were identified, arrested, and booked into the Marion County Jail on various charges. The sheriff’s office released the following details:
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Diego Tapia, 19, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Escape in the Third Degree, and Resisting Arrest.
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William Vargas Vargas, 18, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Giving False Information to Police, and Escape in the Third Degree.
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Ivan Medina, 18, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, and Parole/Probation Detainer.
Authorities said the suspects are believed to have been drinking before deputies arrived. Investigators are also working to determine the origin of the seized firearms, including whether any were stolen or linked to previous crimes.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office praised the quick and coordinated work of its patrol deputies and K9 unit. “Thanks to the fast response of our deputies and K9 Marco, several illegal firearms were taken off the street before they could be used to harm anyone,” the department said in a statement.
Officials added that incidents like this highlight the ongoing importance of community reporting. “We encourage residents to call in suspicious activity right away,” the sheriff’s office stated. “This case shows how one call can help prevent potentially serious crimes.”
All three suspects remain in custody pending further investigation. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the case has been referred to prosecutors for review and possible additional charges.
