Man accused of kidnapping, beating girlfriend eludes manhunt in Salida area

A man suspected of kidnapping and beating his girlfriend eluded capture Monday night in north Modesto and Salida.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m., the victim called her 15-year-old daughter, saying her boyfriend was beating her up, said Modesto police Lt. Jason Grogan. The daughter called 911 to make the report but did not know where her mother was.

“About the same time, some good Samaritans called in to say that on the 2000 block of Standiford Avenue (east of Prescott Road), there was a male chasing a female with a gun,” Grogan said. “It turned out to be the same two.”

Officers said the victim had minor visible injuries and reported that she had been kidnapped and beaten, the lieutenant said. They could not find the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Jesus Galvan. Grogan did not know Galvan’s city of residence.

“A short time later, the Sheriff’s Department found him driving a vehicle near Sisk Road and tried to stop him. He fled from the car, and that’s when they set up perimeter.”

A dog from the Ceres Police Department was called in to assist, and air support initially was requested but was not used. A manhunt was conducted for a couple of hours but did not locate Galvan.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Tipsters can email through the Crime Stoppers website, www.stancrimetips.org, or text tips to 274637 by typing “Tip704” plus a message. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 7:44 AM with the headline "Man accused of kidnapping, beating girlfriend eludes manhunt in Salida area."