Modesto man suspected of using pepper spray to rob people at Turlock grocery stores
A Modesto man was arrested in Turlock for a series of robberies in which he used pepper spray on victims at local grocery stores, police said.
Turlock Police Department officers responded Tuesday to the 500 block of North Soderquist Road on report of a suspicious person spraying pepper spray into the air, according to a release.
A security guard had detained the person, later identified as 26-year-old Alfredo Valencia, by the time officers arrived.
Police then identified Valencia in connection with several robberies where the suspect would pepper spray people at local grocery stores during the last few weeks.
Valencia was booked into Stanislaus County jail and faces preliminary charges including robbery, providing false identification to a police officer, unlawful use of tear gas and brandishing a weapon.
Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Gina Giovacchini at 209-688-6539.
