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Police seek whereabouts of suspects linked to homicide
Victim identified as Modesto man
TPD

Two other suspects wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing on Friday have been identified by the Turlock Police Department.

Both suspects remain at large. They were identified as Alfonso Garcia, 23, and David Rivera Cruz, 30, both of Turlock. This is an on-going investigation and police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Garcia and Cruz. If either man is spotted, immediately call 911.  Do not attempt to approach these men as they are both considered dangerous. 

Alfonso Garcia
Alfonso Garcia

“Detectives are relentlessly working this investigation in an effort to bring the remaining two suspects to justice,” said Turlock Police Detective Frank Navarro. “Please help by calling if you see either of these two men.” 

The police department also released the name of the homicide victim. He was identified as David Gomez Mendoza, 28, of Modesto.

Investigators believe that Mendoza’s death was a targeted act of gang violence.

At 8:18 a.m. Friday, the police department dispatched officers to the intersection of Lander and Bernell avenues for a report of a stabbing.

The first officers to arrive at the scene found Mendoza with life-threatening wounds. Immediate first-aid was administered at the scene and then Mendoza was rushed to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Video surveillance obtained during the investigation showed Mendoza with several other men standing outside a liquor store in the 900 block of Lander Avenue.

As they are standing around, a black 2003 GMC Yukon pulled up and three Hispanic adult males got out of the vehicle, according to the police department.

An altercation starts between the two parties and Mendoza is seen running across Lander Avenue with two of the suspects chasing after him.

One of the suspects caught up with the victim and stabbed him at least once in the upper body.

The three suspects all got back into the GMC Yukon and left the area, according to the police department. The vehicle was last seen traveling north on Lander Avenue.

David Rivera-Cruz
David Rivera-Cruz

Within three hours of the attack, the GMC Yukon was spotted in the 600 block of Vermont Street and was stopped. The driver, Manuel Maldonado, 29, of Turlock was taken into custody and interviewed at the Turlock Police Department before being booked at the Stanislaus County Jail on a homicide charge.

The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation to call Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319.  You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us
 
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program.  Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.