An unprovoked assault of a Turlock resident has resulted in the arrest of five suspected criminal street gang members by the Turlock Police Department.
The arrest of the individuals on Thursday morning prompted two schools to initiate a "soft lockdown" as a precaution, said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley.
Just after 2 a.m. Sunday the Turlock Police Department's dispatch was notified of a possible assault at a residence in the 400 block of E. Main Street. Dispatch received a second call as officers were responding to the residence and this time it was from a man who said he had just been assaulted by a group of individuals.
"Evidence later confirmed it was an unprovoked attack that left the adult male victim with serious bodily injuries to his face and torso," Parmley said in a news release.
The investigation revealed the suspects were part of a criminal street gang, but the victim was not. The investigation also revealed this crime was committed to further the gang, Parmley said.
Investigators with the Special Investigations Unit and Turlock Detectives partnered together on this case and were able to identify the responsible parties and obtain warrants for their arrest.
On Thursday morning, with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies, the Turlock Police Department's SWAT teams served the arrest warrants at three Turlock homes and one in Modesto. The homes are located in the 900 block of North Olive Avenue, 200 block of North Thor Street, 1100 block of Bethany Avenue, while the remaining home was located in the 2600 block of River Creek Circle in Modesto, within the jurisdiction of the Ceres Police Department.
Arrested were: Jose Aguilar, 29, of Turlock; Vincente Ruiz, 41, of Modesto; Arthur Peralta, 30, of Turlock; Angelica Lopez, 33, of Turlock; and Adrian Peralta, 25, of Turlock. Adrian Peralta was not believed to have been involved in the attack and his charges were as a result of evidence located during the search of his residence, Parmley said.
All five of these individuals were arrested on multiple felony charges. The charges range from assault by force likely to produce great bodily injury, battery causing serious bodily injury, conspiracy, participation in a criminal street gang, gang member or associate committing violent felony, committing a felony while out on bail, gang member in possession of a concealable firearm, possession of an undetectable firearm (ghost gun), prohibited person in possession of ammunition, violation of probation, and felon in possession of a firearm.
“The safety of our community is our number one concern," said Turlock Police Capt. Steve Rodrigues. "We want to thank all of our law enforcement partners who assisted in the apprehension of these violent gang members.”
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation to call Investigator Jacob Young at (209) 668-6575. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
