Detectives seek witness in La Grange homicide

Stanislaus County homicide detectives want to talk to the man who discovered a homicide victim along La Grange Road last week.

Detectives released surveillance photos of the witness that were captured when he went to the La Grange Market Wednesday morning and told the clerk there was a motorcycle accident on La Grange Road and it looked the like the rider was dead.

The woman working at the market called her mother, who was driving in the area with a friend. They found the man, 53-year-old Robert Kope, of San Jose, about a quarter mile north of his motorcycle. They said there was a plastic zip tie around Kope’s neck and his belongings were spread around a bag on the ground.

They called 911. The man in the market left and detectives never had an opportunity to talk to him.

The man appears to be in his early to mid 20s, about 5 foot 10 tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing a white shirt on Wednesday; the coloring on the surveillance photos make it appear pink.

He was driving a white Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with black rims and a black brush guard on the front.

Authotireis ask the man or anyone with information on who he is to call Detective Cory Brown at 209-567-4485.

Anonymous tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also email at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus a message; tipsters are eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Detectives seek witness in La Grange homicide."