News

Tracy Homicide Suspect Tied to White Supremacy

Published

3 years ago

March 18, 2022

STOCKTON – Jeremy Wayne Jones, the defendant in the Tracy Chevron homicide who is facing charges in the killing of 30-year-old Justin Peoples, has indications of ties to white supremacist groups, officials said Friday.

Tattoos on Jones’ arms read the words “white pride,” while another tattoo displays a swastika behind a winged skeleton.

Tracy Police Chief Sekou Millington described the attack on Peoples as heinous and unprovoked. The interaction between the two parties was very brief, he said. Peoples was found suffering from multiple stab wounds and shot. He was rushed to a hospital where he later died.

Millington said detectives were able to identify Jones and the getaway vehicle during the investigation. When asked to elaborate on what led to the filing of hate crime charges, District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar declined to provide specific details, however said that she wouldn’t have charged the crime unless she had evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this was hate-based.

“It is clear by the actions of the defendants,” she said. “It is on video because it is at a convenience store, so we do have that information. Based on what we observed, based on the past history of the involved parties we believe we can make this a special circumstance of a hate crime.”

Verber Salazar went on to comment that Jones’ tattoos are commonly associated with white supremacist groups, particularly in the prison system.

Peoples’ aunt said he walked into a convenience store and was gunned down because of the color of his skin.

“Today is the day we fight for justice for Justin,” she said shortly after the court hearing.

Documents filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court indicate that Christina Garner of Manteca was the shooter in the case. Jones is said to have used a knife during the attack, according to the complaint. He was recently released from prison on March 1st.

A third defendant, Christopher Dimenco, was charged as an accessory in the case. All were held without bail and expected to return to court on April 4th.

News

School Security Increased After Driver Approaches Student

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

MODESTO – School officials planned to add additional security Thursday after a report of a driver that approached a student.

A message sent to parents reported a driver in a gray or green Honda Civic approached a Mark Twain Junior High School student near Marshall Elementary Wednesday afternoon. The message went on to say Modesto Police Department was notified, and that both officers and School Security Guards planned to patrol the area.

The message also encourages students to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious people or behavior right away.

News

Death Investigated After Body Found in Canal

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

STANISLAUS COUNTY – Authorities investigated a death after a deceased person was found in a canal Thursday morning.

At about 7:30am deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Church Street and Garst Road for a report of a possible drowning. Arriving first responders located the deceased person west of the intersection in the Lateral Two canal, near railroad tracks.

The circumstances surrounding the death were not available at time of publication. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

News

Man Arrested in Fatal Turlock Stabbing

Published

5 days ago

September 29, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

TURLOCK – Police arrested a man on murder charges in a fatal stabbing that took place Friday night.

Ahmad Abweny, a 28-year-old Modesto man, was identified and arrested with the assistance of the Modesto Police Department.

The incident occurred Friday night at about 10:30pm, when officers were called to a report of a person stabbed near the intersection of Monte Vista Avenue and Golden State Boulevard. Enrique Gomez, a 49-year-old Turlock resident, was found on the ground stabbed. Emergency personnel provided aid, but Gomez died at the scene.

Detectives with the Turlock Police Department responded to investigate and learned that the stabbing was the result of a road rage argument that took place at a nearby apartment complex. Through evidence and witness statements, investigators were able to identify the suspect and the involved vehicle.

Within hours, Abweny was located with the use of license plate reader technology and with help from the Modesto Police Department. He was arrested and booked into jail on murder charges.

In a released statement, Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden credited the use of the license plate readers in helping find Abweny in a short amount of time.

“The case demonstrates the power of modern technology in enhancing public safety and ensuring prompt resolution for any crime committed in our city,” the statement said in part.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Ulrich at (209) 668-6570.