Police ID dead Modesto restaurant owner; suspect still being questioned

MODESTO -- The owner of a popular Chinese restaurant was found dead inside the business in Modesto's Century Center shopping plaza early Thursday.

The death of Wing Ming Chan, 47, of Modesto is being investigated as a homicide.

Modesto police investigators Thursday afternoon were questioning a possible suspect at their downtown headquarters, according to Sgt. Rick Applegate. The man was taken into custody about 7:30 a.m.

Police did not rule out the possibility of multiple suspects.

Applegate said Chan's body was discovered by a family member who went to the China Gourmet restaurant because Chan had not returned home.

The family member called 911 just before 3 a.m. When the ambulance crew arrived and determined Chan was dead, they called police.

Sgt. Rick Armedariz said an autopsy Thursday revealed that Chan died from blunt-force trauma. He said a weapon of some sort was used, but it had not been recovered.

Armedariz said a motive has not been determined, including whether a robbery had occurred.

He said detectives have spoken to witnesses, including the restaurant's employees and employees from neighboring businesses.

China Gourmet is one of a number of businesses in the northwest corner of the shopping center at Oakdale Road and East Orangeburg Avenue. The restaurant faces Oakdale Road and is alongside a Starbucks, Blockbuster and Pizza Hut, among other businesses.

Cars there until late

Brianna Dodge, who was working at Pizza Hut until midnight Wednesday, said she saw cars parked at the restaurant at 11:30 p.m. Normally, the restaurant closes at 9:30 p.m. on weeknights.

Dodge said her friend, Gilbert Lucero, came to pick her up after work. She said Lucero told her he saw someone he thought was the owner and another man bringing patio furniture into the store.

Annie Yacoub, who works next door at Pro Beauty Supply, described the restaurant as a "second home."

She said the family-run restaurant is always busy, has great customer service and a really good vibe. She'll often see family members in there eating late at night, sometimes playing cards.

"It's somewhere you go when your mom is not cooking," she said.

Charles deLaire, who lives nearby, came to the center to do some banking Thursday morning before heading to a doctor's appointment across the street.

He was greeted by a throng of law enforcement officers and media.

"It's another sad event in Modesto," deLaire said. "Another young person has lost his life."

He said he and his wife often walk to the center from their house to shop or grab a bite to eat.

"This is shocking," he said. "To have someone bothered by a panhandler is one thing. But to have someone accosted and killed … it's very uncommon in this part of Modesto."

Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. The tips can be left anonymously. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message.

Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366.

Bee Online News Editor Brian Clark can be reached at bclark@modbee.com or (209) 578-2362.