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.
MODESTO – A man was taken to a hospital for care after he was found shot on West Hatch Road.
Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a person shot Tuesday evening New Year’s Eve.
The incident happened on the 2500 block of West Hatch Road west of Parkdale Drive. Early reports indicate a man who was shot ran into a nearby convenience store for help. The extent of his injuries was unknown.
Firefighters and medical personnel provided care for the victim and transported him by ambulance to a hospital.
Deputies searched the area for any signs of where the shooting may have taken place. So far the circumstances or any description of a suspect were unknown at time of publication.
MODESTO – A pedestrian was injured Thursday morning after they were struck by a vehicle on a busy roadway.
The incident happened shortly before 9:00am near the intersection of Oakdale Road and Claratina Avenue. Early indications suggest the pedestrian may have run into traffic before being struck by a vehicle. The person was thrown by the impact.
Fire and medical personnel responded to provide care, but the extent of injuries was not clear late Thursday morning. Modesto Police and CHP Officers responded to investigate the collision.
MODESTO – Traffic safety officers with the Modesto Police Department investigated a collision that claimed the life of a pedestrian in a motorized scooter Wednesday afternoon.
The collision happened shortly before 5:00pm on Briggsmore Avenue near Coffee Road. Early indications suggest the scooter and vehicle were traveling west on Briggsmore Avenue when the collision happened.
Life-saving attempts were made but the pedestrian did not survive. The involved motorist remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Westbound Briggsmore Avenue was closed for the duration of the investigation.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact Officer Kyle Johnson at johnsonk@modestopd.com.