Young child witness to murder-suicide of parents

On a day meant to celebrate love and commitment, a man shot to death his estranged girlfriend in front of their 8-year-old son and then turned the gun on himself.

Correctional officer accused of smuggling tobacco

A guard at the John Latorraca Correctional facility in Merced was taken into custody Wednesday morning on allegations he was smuggling contraband into the jail.

Man charged with attempted murder for shooting at police

The suspect who opened fire on law enforcement coming to take him into custody for shooting at a Ceres police officer is now facing multiple charges of attempted murder of a peace officer.

Record haul made in drug raid

The largest marijuana bust in Stanislaus County was made Monday when local, state, and federal agents raided a grow operation in Crows Landing.

Fire, police officials testify in Red Steer arson hearing

The preliminary hearing for a Turlock restaurateur accused of setting fire to his popular eatery, got underway Tuesday, but because of scheduling conflicts, the hearing won't conclude and a ruling won't be issued for more than a month from now.

Suspect opens fire on police

A man, who is suspected of shooting at a Ceres police officer days earlier, was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement Friday evening just outside of Turlock.

Test confirms boy’s identity

The DNA test samples submitted to the California Department of Justice have confirmed the child found in a canal Tuesday is that of 4-year-old Juliani Cardenas.

Special DUI enforcement for Super Bowl planned

Whether you're a Green Bay cheese head or part of the Steeler nation, or just watch for the commercials, the Turlock Police Department is reminding all football fans not to include drinking and driving in the Super Bowl celebrations.

Homeless man beaten, robbed

The Turlock Police Department is searching for a man who robbed a transient Sunday night.

Turlock bank robbed

Turlock Police detectives are investigating a bank robbery at the Oak Valley Community Bank by a lone man.

Crash claims life of Planada man

A 23-year-old Planada man is facing multiple felony charges including hit and run, stemming from a vehicle crash that left his passenger dead in a Merced Irrigation District canal.

County eighth in state for young homicide victims

Stanislaus County has one of the worst youth homicide rates in the state according to a newly released report.

Body of missing boy found in canal

The yellow and blue ribbons tied to the palm trees outside the Patterson Police Department that were a symbol of the hope and effort to bring Juliani Cardenas home safely whipped in the wind Tuesday afternoon as Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson made the grim announcement that a body matching that of the missing 4-year-old boy was pulled from the canal Tuesday morning.

Shoplifting case escalates to robbery charges

Two men attempting to shoplift items from a Turlock grocery store are now facing strong arm robbery charges after they fought with store employees.

Vandalism charges for brawlers

A brawl between several individuals resulted in felony vandalism charges for two men.

Police arrest two on torture charges

Hoyt murder trial in hands of jury

At one end of the courtroom hallway stood the friends and family of Kenneth Winter. At the other end was Michael Hoyt surrounded by his loved ones. And nestled in between in a small room were seven women and five men tasked with determining justice. A verdict was not reached on Friday and deliberations won't resume again until Thursday because of a scheduling issue with one juror. Hoyt, 53, is facing a ...

Car crashes into eatery

Panda Express patrons were startled on Monday afternoon when a car drove into the restaurant, injuring two. At around 3:16 p.m. Monday, the Turlock Police and Fire departments responded to a minor injury accident at Panda Express located in the 3100 block of Countryside Drive. When units arrived they found a vehicle partially inside the dining area. According to the TPD, the female driver was not injured, however, two male patrons inside the ...

Hoyt recounts details of fatal fight

In an effort to disprove the murder charge looming over him, Michael Hoyt took the stand Tuesday to tell the jury his recollection of the altercation on a rural Turlock road on Feb. 1, 2010, that ultimately ended in the death of Kenneth Winter. Hoyt is facing a second-degree murder charge for the death of 67-year-old Winter. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office case against Hoyt alleges he was so upset over a ...

Bomb scares prompt school lockdown, road closure

Two suspicious devices found Morning morning on Lander Avenue prompted a school lock down and a road closure as the county bomb squad investigated. Cunningham Elementary School was put on a lock down for several hours and Lander Avenue between Linwood and Glenwood avenues was closed to traffic for part of the morning and afternoon. The school was put on lockdown just as a precaution. Neither device turned out to be ...

THS fire causes $4k in damages

A fire in a small bathroom next to the Turlock High School library caused approximately $4,000 in damages, according to the Turlock Fire Department report. School was in session when the call went out that heavy black smoke was seen coming from the Turlock High School library at 11:59 a.m. Tuesday. Four engine companies and 15 firefighters responded to what turned out to be a small fire in a bathroom, and it was ...

DA questions credibility of only witness to fatal roadside beating

After more than a week's worth of testimony that sought to lay out point by point the evidence that led investigators to arrest Michael Hoyt for murder in the death of Kenneth Winter and discredit the defense's theories, the prosecution brought their case to a close Friday. The defense's response was to ask for the entire case to be dismissed based on a lack of evidence. Defense attorney Frank Carson said he ...

Turlock business owner tracks stolen truck; fights armed thief

When Dale Falkenberg, owner of Dale's Guitar, discovered that his truck was stolen in the early morning hours on Monday, he immediately started a Valley wide search. That search, which included a call out to 1,000 Facebook friends, resulted in a tip that his truck was in a Delhi parking lot. Eager to retrieve his truck, the Turlock music man headed to Delhi and eventually found his stolen vehicle at a convenience store. ...

Blood evidence presented at murder trial

The murder trial for the Turlock man accused of beating a man to death over a traffic incident continued Tuesday with a series of law enforcement witnesses testifying to the forensic evidence collected during the investigation. Michael Hoyt, 53, is on trial for second-degree murder for the murder of 67-year-old Kenneth Winter in February 2010. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office contends Hoyt was angered by Winter over a traffic incident on Paulson ...

Turlock man dies in Modesto crash

A two vehicle collision in east Modesto Monday morning resulted in the death of a 43-year-old Turlock man. The Stanislaus County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as Al Avila of Turlock. Avila was killed in a collision at Claribel and Bentley roads in Modesto, according to the California Highway Patrol. Avila was driving a 1999 Toyota Corolla westbound on Claribel around 7 a.m. Monday. Oscar Ibarra, 22, of Oakdale was driving ...

Dispute erupts into gunfire

Turlock men arrested for passing fraudulent checks

Two Turlock men were arrested Friday for allegedly passing fraudulent checks at a Ceres grocery store. A clerk at the Pine Street Market called police at 12:30 a.m. after a man attempted to cash a check that appeared to be suspicious. Donald Rush, 45, of Turlock, was apprehended by Ceres Police Detective Darren Venn after he left the store and was found in possession of fraudulent documents. He faces charges of forgery, ...

Key DA witness in Hoyt murder trial falters on stand

When Brooke Soares took the witness stand in the case against Michael Hoyt she was confident about what she had seen and heard when she drove upon two men clashing with one another in the middle of Paulson Road in Turlock on Feb. 1, 2010. By the time she left the witness stand she had admitted that on that day she described herself to a detective as "scatter-brained." In between and over ...

Police arrest Turlock grocer for child molestation

A Turlock grocer was arrested Wednesday night on allegations he molested a child over the span of several months. Sadik Algharazi, 37, of Turlock was taken into custody and gave a statement to the Turlock Police investigators prior to being booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on suspicion of child molestation. According to the Stanislaus County Recorder's records, Algharazi is the owner of Sid's Oasis Market on East Avenue in Turlock. ...

Police apprehend two in break-in

One man and one teenager are facing burglary charges after they were caught coming out of a Turlock home with property from the residence. Isaac Hensley, 20, and a 16-year-old juvenile were charged with burglary following Thursday's capture. Around 10 a.m. a neighbor in the 400 block of Sherri Way reported a possible break-in at a nearby home. Officers arriving at the scene found the pair leaving the home with some ...