3 Merced gang members ID’d as suspects in Modesto shootout with police; officers involved named

Three documented gang members from Merced were identified Thursday as the suspects involved in a shootout with Modesto police on Sunday night.

Juan Tinoco, 26, the only suspect hit by the return fire from three Modesto Police Department officers, is in critical but stable condition and being treated for multiple gunshot wounds, according to Officer Billy Boyle.

Also named suspects and arrested were Steven Vasquez, 26, and Andrew Hernandez, 25.

The three were each charged with four counts of attempted homicide of a peace officer with additional gang enhancement and weapons charges. Bail was set for $2.45 million for Tinoco and Hernandez. With an additional charge of felony evading police, Vasquez’s bail was set at $2.5 million.

The officers involved in the shooting were identified as Sgt. Lance Nicolai and K9 officers Glenn Graves and Daniel Starr. Nicholai is a 19-year veteran of the Modesto Police Department, Graves is a 20-year veteran and Starr an 11-year veteran.

Grave’s dog Kai and and Starr’s dog Volk were in patrol cars at the time of the shooting. None of the officers or dogs was hurt.

The incident began at 11:23 p.m., when officers received a call of fight involving several people near Eighth and H streets. Witnesses said those involved were armed, Boyle said.

When officers arrived, they saw a vehicle matching the description of that mentioned in a 911 call. As officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle with the three inside took off.

The pursuit continued to Downey Avenue near 19th Street, where officers disabled the vehicle. Boyle said Tinoco got out and began to fire at officers. Three officers returned fire on Tinoco, who was hit “multiple times,” Boyle said.

Boyle said investigators are trying to determine whether Vasquez or Hernandez were involved in the shooting along with Tinoco. He said multiple weapons were recovered at the scene.

All three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.

This story was originally published June 4, 2015 at 4:47 PM with the headline "3 Merced gang members ID’d as suspects in Modesto shootout with police; officers involved named."