By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Armed robbery suspect caught in Turlock
Second man arrested for laser strike on helicopter during search
sheriff

A suspect wanted for an armed robbery in Merced County was captured Wednesday night in Turlock by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office had information that the suspect in the armed robbery was in Turlock and provided a physical description of the suspect and the clothing he was wearing.

A short time later, around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, an alert patrol deputy with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department spotted Kyle Luz, 26, of Turlock at a car wash in the 1000 block of N. Golden State Boulevard. Luz's physical description and clothing matched that of the wanted suspect.

The sheriff's department's K9 unit, patrol deputies and the Air 101 helicopter were all brought in to establish a perimeter and search for the suspect, who was believed to be armed.

Luz was located and taken into custody without incident. A discarded firearm was also located in a garbage can near the area of the arrest, said sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. Luke Schwartz.

Luz was turned over to the Merced County Sheriff's Office. He is being investigated in relation to multiple robberies in Merced and Stanislaus counties.

The search for Luz prompted another arrest when a Turlock man pointed a laser at the Air 101 helicopter.

At 12:04 a.m. Thursday pilots and tactical flight officers reported multiple strikes in the cockpit with a green laser pointer.

The Air Support Unit was able to locate where the lasers were coming from in the 900 block of Chestnut Street. They directed ground units to a residence and Craig Jorgensen, 58, of Turlock was taken into custody. The laser pointer was retrieved, and Jorgensen was booked for dangerously pointing a laser pointer at flying aircraft. His bail was set at $1,000.