A third suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old Turlock man from May 2020.

Izrael Villegas, 18, of Turlock was shot and killed on May 20, 2020 in the 4300 block of Cherry Blossom Lane, near Dale Pinkney Park.

The Turlock Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the area around 1 a.m. and found Villegas with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The motive for this incident was determined to be drug related,” said Turlock Police spokesperson Sgt. Michael Parmley.

Following the shooting, detectives started viewing surveillance video from residential cameras and developed a lead regarding a red car seen in the neighborhood.

This January the investigation led to the arrest of Robert Omar Branche, 22, and Jose Carmona, 30, both of Modesto.

Detectives identified Owen Ramos, 23, of Modesto as the third and final suspect. Ramos was identified as the driver from the night of the shooting, according to the police department.

Ramos voluntarily came to the Turlock Police Department and was subsequently arrested and booked at the Stanislaus County Jail for robbery and unrelated warrants, Parmley said.

Branche is currently in custody and facing robbery and homicide charges. Carmona is facing a robbery charge.

Turlock Police detectives ask that anyone with information, 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.