One other suspect wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing on Friday is being sought by the Turlock Police Department, while two others are in custody.
Investigators have identified Alfonso Garcia, 23, and David Rivera Cruz, 30, both of Turlock as suspects in the Friday morning fatal stabbing of David Gomez Mendoza, 28, of Modesto.
Manual Maldonado, 29, of Turlock was the first suspect in the death who was identified and apprehended by the police department. Cruz was arrested Monday.
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.
Investigators believe that Mendoza death was a targeted act of gang violence.
Within three hours of the attack, the GMC Yukon was spotted in the 600 block of Vermont Street and was stopped. The driver, Maldonado, was taken into custody and interviewed at the Turlock Police Department before being booked at the Stanislaus County Jail on a homicide charge.
Around 5:22 p.m. Monday, the police department’s Special Investigation Unit spotted Cruz in the 200 block of E. Tuolumne Road. Cruz was taken into custody without incident and will be facing charges of aggravated assault, likely to cause great bodily injury. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives and SIU investigators searched the residence where Cruz was found.
Garcia remains at-large. This is an on-going investigation and police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Garcia. If he is spotted, call 911 immediately. Do not approach him, as he is considered dangerous.
Investigators believe that Mendoza death was a targeted act of gang violence.
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.
