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 – Classes were canceled Thursday morning at Modesto High School after police were notified of a threat.
A message sent out by Modesto City Schools read in part “Modesto Police Officers are at Modesto High this morning investigating a threat of a possible explosive device. There will be no school this morning until the campus can be deemed safe.”
A police spokesperson said out of an abundance of caution the campus is being cleared.
As of this post, authorities were still searching the campus.
STOCKTON – The parents of a two year old girl were arrested and charged in her death after police say she was malnourished and neglected.
The incident began early Monday morning, when fire and medical personnel were dispatched at about 3:15am to a home on the 300 block of West Oak Street. The report indicated help was needed for a two year old girl who was unresponsive. She was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead.
Police say the girl was malnourished, appeared extremely emaciated, and had clear signs of neglect. Detectives and CPS officials responded to the home to investigate.
Both parents were taken into the police department for questioning. Gregorio Ornelas, 61, and Jessica Chavez, 39, were both arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death.
Both parents were booked into the San Joaquin County Jail without possibility of bail. They are due in court Wednesday afternoon.
STOCKTON – A 19 year old man was hospitalized after he was shot during a robbery Sunday afternoon.
Shortly after 1:30pm, Stockton Police Officers were called to the 10000 block of Hidden Cove Circle for a report of a shooting.
Officers learned that the suspect shot the victim, took his property, and fled the area. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injury. He is expected to recover.
The only description available of the suspect was a black male in his 20’s.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stockton Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600.