NEWMAN – Two suspects wanted in connection to a homicide in Oregon were captured in Stanislaus County by authorities Wednesday.
Authorities with Grants Pass Department of Public Safety responded to a 911 call from the Red Lion Inn after an employee found a man on the floor of a room at the hotel.
Detectives responded and found 42 year old Ryan Antone Dutra deceased from a gunshot wound. Authorities said Dutra was a resident of California and was renting a room at the hotel. No one else was found in the room, and no one in the area had any knowledge of the incident.
Investigators were able to develop leads using surveillance video, cell phone and license plate technology. They identified the suspects as 41 year old Derek Ian Smith and his wife 34 year old Tera Lindsey Smith. Both were reported as residents of California. Detectives believe both suspects had already returned by the time they were identified.
Authorities in Grants Pass coordinated with authorities in California to locate both suspects. They were able to track them down to Stanislaus County, where their vehicle had broken down at a vista point along Interstate 5 in the Newman area.
Officers with the California Highway Patrol and Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the rest area and spotted their SUV with an open hood. Early reports indicated they were attempting to jump start their vehicle. Both suspects were taken into custody at about 10:30am without incident.
Both suspects face charges including murder, robbery and unlawful use of a weapon. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety acknowledged the swift work of investigators and local allied agencies to apprehend them both.
Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their loved ones to let them know they were ok. Carlos is a veteran of Univision, FOX, and Telemundo TV stations and a native of Modesto, California.
TURLOCK – A Turlock Police Officer was injured when he was involved in a crash while trying to stop a speeding vehicle Tuesday.
The crash happened in the area of Palm Street and Hawkeye Avenue. The officer, whom authorities identified as Gavin Allison, had his lights and sirens on as he was trying to catch up to a speeding driver when he was involved in a collision with another motorist.
Officer Allison suffered moderate injuries that required stitches to his arm and leg, but is expected to make a full recovery. The other motorist involved in the crash was not injured. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Officer Rocha at (209) 668-5550 extension 6130.
MODESTO – Emergency crews responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Claus Road Monday morning.
The crash was reported near the area of Claus Road and Cedar Creek Drive at about 8:00am. Early reports indicate a pickup truck and another vehicle collided before the pickup hit a tree.
Arriving personnel reported one motorist appeared to have a broken leg.
MERCED COUNTY – A 20 year old woman was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter after a crash claimed the lives of two people.
The crash was reported at about 12:19am on Highway 165 near Turner Avenue. According to California Highway Patrol, 20 year old Melissa Rosales of Los Banos was driving a BMW SUV at high speeds south on Highway 165 when she crossed lanes at a curve. Her vehicle crashed into an oncoming Honda Accord driven by a 41 year old man from Ceres with a juvenile passenger. Both occupants of the Honda were killed in the crash.
Rosales suffered major injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. Officials say she was under the influence at the time of the crash and faces DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.
All involved persons were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.