News

Suspect in Newman Police Corporal Killing Case Receives Life Sentence

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2020

MODESTO – Paulo Virgen Mendoza, also known as Gustavo Perez Arriaga, pleaded guilty Thursday to the shooting death of Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh.

Mendoza was captured after the December 26th, 2018 shooting of Corporal Singh and fleeing south. A relentless search by authorities led to his arrest three days later at a home near Bakersfield. Three other people were arrested in the case for aiding Mendoza. Authorities said he had entered the country illegally, and had two prior DUI arrests in the Madera/Chowchilla area.

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said Mendoza entered the guilty plea, admitting to three special circumstances. Those circumstances included committing the murder in an attempt to evade arrest, killing a police officer in the performance of his duties, and discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle with the intent to inflict death.

Mendoza also admitted to acting intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation, as well as intentionally discharging a firearm causing death. Both were enhancements to his charges.

As part of his plea deal, Mendoza waived his right to appeal the decision. In exchange, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to stop seeking the death penalty. Mendoza agreed to life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

Mendoza was sentenced by Judge Ricardo Cordova and remanded for transportation to state prison.

Corporal Singh left behind a wife and infant son of five months at the time of the shooting.

“He came to America to become a police officer,” said Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson during a press conference on December 27th, 2018.

“You have to understand, this was not supposed to happen here.”

Corporal Singh, a K-9 officer with his partner Sam, was a native of Fiji and was deeply loved and respected by his peers and community.

“Please remember the man, please remember what he came to this country to do,” said Richardson. “Yes he was a police officer, but more importantly he was a human being.”

Click below to view original video from the case.

Related Topics:homicide investigation murder newman police Ronil Singh shooting

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Carlos Rodriguez

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.

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News

Several Detained Near Homicide Scene

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2022

Carlos Rodriguez

STOCKTON – Police have detained several persons of interest in connection to Sunday’s homicide.

Shortly before 5:00pm officers with the Stockton Police Department were involved in a vehicle pursuit in the area of West Lane and Knickerbocker Drive. The area is near where a 20 year old man was fatally shot Sunday afternoon.

Officials said they had detained several persons of interest in relation to the case.

The shopping center where Sunday’s homicide took place has been the location of previous shootings and at least one more homicide this year.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.

News

First lunar eclipse of the year visible across the valley

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2022

Gaby Muro

RIPON – The lunar eclipse takes place only during a full moon when Earth is in between the sun and moon, casting a shadow on the surface of the moon. The bright colored moon which attracts spectators is only seen once every 1.5 years, estimated by NASA.

The lunar eclipse was estimated to begin its deep penumbral stage at 7:15pm on May 15, 2022. By 7:59pm it should have reached the 50% partial stage. Totality began at 8:29pm and the full color everyone was waiting to see occurred at around 9:11pm. That rare sight began to end by 9:54pm. It was 50% partial by 10:23pm and reached its deep penumbral stage by 11:10pm where it ended.

Weather for the total lunar eclipse in some areas caused some to miss out on the rare occurrence. In Ripon and Stockton light cloud coverage crossed the mid stages of the eclipse. Meanwhile in some Modesto areas it was visible. National Weather Service estimated the temperature to be in the mid 60s to upper 70s for the valley.

Although a total lunar eclipse occurs only around every 1.5 years, your next opportunity to see it again will be November 7th 2022 going on to the eighth.

News

Stockton Police Investigate Homicide

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2022

Carlos Rodriguez

Officers investigate a homicide Sunday afternoon near West Lane and Knickerbocker Drive.

STOCKTON – Police investigated the fatal shooting of a 20 year old man Sunday afternoon.

Shortly before 5:00pm, authorities responded to the area of West Lane and Knickerbocker drive for a report of a person shot. Arriving officers located a 20 year old man who had suffered at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives responded to the scene to investigate the shooting, however no suspect information or motive was available.

The area has been the scene of at least two other shootings this year, one of them fatal. At least one business in the shopping center appears to have since closed after the shootings.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.