In a coordinated effort between the Turlock Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshalls Office, two men wanted for a Modesto murder were apprehended in Turlock Friday night.

One suspect, identified as 20-year-old Kraig Palacio of Modesto, was apprehended shortly before midnight Friday at a home in the 200 block of Clifford Avenue, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Anthony Bejaran said.

Palacio had been named as a person of interest in the death of 25-year-old Bradley Mather of Modesto on Dec. 21, 2012 in the Airport District. Mather was shot to death and left in the front yard of a home in the area of Mono Drive and Mono Park in Modesto.

Detectives named Palacio a potential suspect early on in the investigation. He was on parole at the time and when he failed to meet with his parole officer a warrant was issued for his arrest, Bejaran said.

The U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Apprehension Team out of Sacramento was able to locate Palacio at a residence in the 200 Block of Clifford Avenue in Turlock on Friday night.  The Fugitive Apprehension Team had information that Palacio was possibly armed and the Turlock Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team responded to assist in the service of the search warrant. 

The sheriff’s department’s homicide detectives were notified that Palacio had been found and they obtained a search warrant for the residence.  While waiting to serve the warrant at the residence a vehicle was seen leaving and officers stopped the vehicle and two men were detained. Jose Cazares, 18, of Turlock was arrested for being a felon in possession of ammunition. The second male was released.

Once the search warrant was served, Palacio surrendered to officers peacefully. Detectives searched the residence and interviewed both Palacio and Cazares and developed information to arrest both for the homicide of Mather, Bejaran said.

Anyone with information about this investigation can call Detective Darwin Hatfield at 525-7100. Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.