STOCKTON – Investigators with the California Highway Patrol arrested a man suspected of being involved in a shooting that wounded a teen Monday afternoon.
The incident happened shortly after 3:00pm near the area of Highway 99 and Kettleman Lane in Lodi. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a Nissan Altima fired a gun several times at the victim vehicle, striking a teenage passenger in the head. The driver of the victim vehicle drove the teen to Lodi Memorial Hospital for care. Valley Division CHP Investigators responded to work the case.
Moses Mercado, a 21 year old resident of Lodi, was identified as a suspect during the course of the investigation. Investigators located and arrested Mercado after a brief pursuit in South Stockton that ended on South California near Worth Street. A passenger of the Nissan Altima, 21 year old Bella Villanueva of Ripon, was also arrested. Villanueva faces charges of aiding and abetting, conspiracy, and concealing evidence.
Mercado was charged with attempted murder, carrying a loaded firearm with a previous felony conviction, being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and shooting at an inhabited vehicle. He is in custody without bail and due in court on June 30th at 1:30pm.
A third suspect, 29 year old Edgar Hernandez of Stockton, was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded unregistered firearm concealed in a vehicle.
“We want to assure the public that these acts of violence are not random, but are often targeted attacks between parties that know each other,” said Commander Mel Hutsell of the Stockton CHP Office. “We take these types of incidents very seriously and are committed to ensuring public safety.”
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact CHP Investigations at (916) 731-6300.
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.
Authorities investigate an officer involved shooting near Hammer Lane and Mariner's Drive Sunday night.
STOCKTON – A section of Hammer Lane West of Interstate 5 was closed down Sunday evening after a shooting involving authorities.
The incident occurred at about 8:00pm near the intersection of Hammer Lane and Mariner’s Drive. Hammer Lane was closed down to traffic at the Southbound exit/entrance to Interstate 5.
Both Stockton Police Officers and Officers with California Highway Patrol were on scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident were not available Sunday night, but there did appear to be on person deceased at the scene.
Residents who were trying to reach their homes on Mariner’s Drive were unable to early on in the investigation. A nearby gas station was also closed off with crime scene tape.
More details will be posted as they become available.
TURLOCK – Detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a seventeen year old boy that took place Friday night.
Authorities believe that the victim was leaving a house party near the 2000 block of North Daubenberger Road at about 10:45pm, when police received the call reporting the stabbing had taken place.
Arriving officers found the teen on the sidewalk suffering from at least one stab wound. Officers began performing CPR until the victim was transported by medics to a hospital. The victim died about an hour later.
Detectives interviewed witnesses who stayed behind and believe a group of individuals, either white or Hispanic males in their teens or early 20’s, confronted the victim as he was leaving the party. A fight then took place, ending with the victim being stabbed. Friends of the victim called 911 for help.
Further information was not available Saturday morning.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319 or the Turlock Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780. Crime Stoppers is also available at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.
Investigators examine a crime scene where a homicide took place on El Dorado Street on February 14th, 2023.
STOCKTON – A 41 year old man was arrested by authorities in connection to a homicide that took place on February 14th of this year.
Shortly before 3:00am that morning, police officers responded to the 600 block of North El Dorado Street for a report of a person down. Arriving officers located a 60 year old man who was suffering from stab wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Throughout the course of the investigation, authorities were able to identify and arrest 41 year old Robert Lee Sandoval Friday in connection to the case. He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail without possibility of bail on a murder charge.
Sandoval is due in San Joaquin County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.