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.”
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.
STOCKTON – Police investigated a fatal shooting on Gateway Court early Saturday morning.
Shortly after 1:00am, police responded to the area for a report of a person shot. They found a 25 year old man who was shot several times.
Medics responded to provide care for the victim, but he died from his injuries. Detectives responded to investigate the case however no further details were provided.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact police at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.
MODESTO – A fatal collision involving a Tesla vehicle closed down Pelandale Avenue early Saturday morning.
The crash happened shortly after midnight near the intersection of Pelandale Avenue and Carver Road. Police said the eastbound Tesla Model Y struck a corner lightpole, claiming the life of the driver. The passenger, a man from Fresno, suffered moderate injuries.
The Tesla was the only involved vehicle in the collision, police said.
Officers with the Modesto Police Traffic Safety Unit responded to investigate the collision. Pelandale Avenue was closed for the duration of the investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact Officer Beverson at beversonj@modestopd.com
STOCKTON – Authorities investigated a fatal shooting late Saturday morning in a South Stockton neighborhood.
Shortly before noon, officers responded to the area of Anne and Tenth Streets for a report of a person shot. Arriving officers found a 40 year old man who had been shot. Medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased.
Detectives took over the investigation, and no suspect information was available Saturday.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Police at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.