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.

Father gets 15 to life for child’s death

A Dos Palos man was sentenced Monday in Merced County Superior Court to 15 years to life for the death of his 3-year-old daughter. Jericho Wright, 30, pled no contest to the charge of second degree murder in the death of Liadan Wright on Feb. 25, 2008. The Merced County Coroner's Office said Liadan died from multiple blunt force traumas to the head. She also had bruises to her shoulder and torso. ...

Father leaves son at restaurant, hits the bar

A Turlock man is unlikely to get a father of the year award after he left his son at a fast food restaurant so he could go drink at a bar. The incident began sometime around 8 p.m. Thursday when Montgomery Borba, 30, left his 9-year-old son unattended at the Jack in the Box at 100 N. Golden State Boulevard, while Borba went for drinks at Wellington's Station at 10 E. Main St. ...

Suspected shooter caught in S.W.A.T. standoff

The suspected gunman who wounded two people outside a Turlock home was apprehended early Monday morning after the Turlock Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics team used tear gas to flush him from his hideout. Manuel Maldonado, 19, of Turlock was taken into custody around 5:30 a.m. after a standoff with S.W.A.T. that lasted almost six hours. Maldonado was previously identified as the prime suspect in a shooting that occurred Oct. 22 ...

Plea deal possible for hit and run

The case against a Patterson woman accused of hitting a cyclist and leaving him to die on a Turlock road, will likely be settled with a plea deal. The victim's father, Jim O'Connor, said the family has been told a plea bargain is in the works for 22-year-old Vanessa Carrillo that will likely include a jail sentence of one year. "I fear that she will spend a lot less time in jail, ...

Theft conviction for former insurance agent

A former Hughson insurance agent, who was accused of bilking her clients, has been convicted of theft of fiduciary funds. Martha Jane Terry, 63, was convicted of one felony count of fiduciary theft by an insurance agent or broker. Terry was originally facing 33 felony counts of grand theft, embezzlement and theft of fiduciary funds. A Stanislaus County Superior Court judge sentenced Terry last week to serve 120 days in jail and ...

Search for shooting suspect continues

The teenager identified as the prime suspect responsible for shooting two people remains on the loose. The Turlock Police Department continues to search for Manuel Maldonado Jr., 19, of Turlock. Maldonado is wanted for the attempted murder of a 26-year-old man and a male teenager. He is considered armed and dangerous. Both victims were shot outside a home in the 600 block of Chestnut Street on the morning of Oct. 22. <p ...

Hit and run collision critically injures one

Sheriff SWAT wins award

Members of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team recently participated in a multi-agency training exercise designed to challenge the skills, knowledge and abilities of tactical teams. Hosted by Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern and organized with the assistance of federal, state and local public safety partnerships, Urban Shield brought together 31 teams from all over California, the United States, Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan. Urban Shield is a one-of-a-kind ...

K-9 trials

The Modesto Police Department K-9 Unit will host the 29th Annual K-9 trials on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. The competition will be held at Tuolumne River Regional Park, located at 1198 Tioga Dr., in Modesto. The Western States Police Canine Association sanctions this competition, which will feature approximately 35 K-9 law enforcement teams from throughout California. This is the end of the year trial and competitors will be vying for ...

Four charged with abalone violation

A Denair man was among four individuals arrested in Mendocino for exceeding an abalone limit. Bobby Dean Tickner, 51, of Denair was arrested along with Rudy Bart Acosta, 43, of Hickman, Ernest Ruiz Jr., 37, of Waterford and Ruben Meza, 39, of Vacaville. The men were arrested at a Fort Bragg motel after Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies arrived to investigate a sexual assault complaint. The alleged victim of the sexual assault declined ...

Two arrested for fast food robbery

A 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested Tuesday night for a robbery at a Turlock Jack in the Box. The fast food restaurant at 1951 Lander Ave. was robbed around 11 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Turlock Police Department, two masked suspects entered the store, jumped over the counter and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The two suspects fled in a vehicle onto northbound Highway 99, but were ...

Delhi man faces murder charge for shooting son

The preliminary hearing for a Delhi man accused of shooting to death his son is slated to begin mid-November. Daniel McDonald, 67, has been held in custody at the Merced County Jail since his arrest on April 9, for the death of his 46-year-old son Donald McDonald. McDonald is facing a charge of first-degree murder. The preliminary hearing, which is being held to determine if there is enough evidence to hold ...

Man crashes car into brother

Sibling rivalry took a violent turn Wednesday in Delhi when a man caused a vehicle to crash through his brother's home, trapping him in the rubble for nearly a half hour, the Merced County Sheriff's Department reported. The victim, a 38-year-old man, sustained unspecified injuries and was being treated at Emanuel Medical Center, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie. The suspect, Gene Hinds, 40, was taken into custody soon after the event ...

Mother charged with kidnapping; child found safe

A 10-year-old boy was returned safely to his grandparents and his mother is facing a kidnapping charge after police found the child hidden in her home. The 10-year-old was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. Monday by his grandparents, who have full custody of the child, Turlock Police Lt. Nino Amirfar said. The grandparents started to worry about the boy's whereabouts when he didn't return home from school. Investigators found out the ...

Police hunt for shooting suspect

The Turlock Police Department has identified a suspect in an early morning shooting that wounded two. Investigators have named Manuel Maldonado Jr., 19, of Turlock, as the prime suspect in the Saturday shooting. Maldonado is being sought on attempted murder charges and is considered armed and dangerous. The shooting occurred just before 5:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Chestnut Street. The two victims - a 26-year-old man and a male teenager ...