Police identify Turlock resident, 53, as victim in stabbing death

The victim of a homicide in Turlock on Saturday has been identified by police as 53-year-old Pedro Ruiz of Turlock. His body was found in an orchard in the 400 block of North Gratton Road. He’d been stabbed multiple times.

The homicide investigation has determined that Ruiz and the man arrested Saturday in his death, Ricardo Rios, are neighborhood acquaintances, Turlock Police Department spokesman Lt. Stephen Webb said Monday afternoon. Detectives have not determined the motive for the killing, he said.

The killing was discovered when police responded to a report of a car fire on the 400 block of Bennington Avenue at 8:06 p.m. Saturday. When the fire was out, a large amount of blood was discovered inside.

The car belonged to Ruiz, said Webb, but the victim did not reside on Bennington. Police believe the homicide occurred sometime Saturday evening, but exactly when and where are unknown, Webb said.

Evidence gathered and witness interviews led investigators to identify Rios, 29, of Turlock as the suspect.

Authorities got a search warrant for Rios’ home, where they found items belonging to Rios. Rios faces charges of homicide and arson.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to to call Detective James Brewer at 209-664-7331.

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Tipsters can email through the Crime Stoppers website, www.stancrimetips.org, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus a message. Callers to Crime Stoppers are eligible for a reward.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Police identify Turlock resident, 53, as victim in stabbing death."