Arrest made in west Modesto slaying

Modesto police on Sunday arrested a man in connection with a weekend homicide after he showed up at a hospital with a stab wound on his hand.

The victim, 43-year-old Al Lee Jones, was stabbed multiple times at a home on Roselawn Avenue in west Modesto about 2 a.m. Sunday. Paramedics were called to the home on a report of a man not breathing and found him lying on the front porch.

Officers later were contacted by staff members of a Modesto hospital who said Moses Garcia, 21, was being treated for a stab wound to his hand, said police spokeswoman Heather Graves.

Garcia told officers he’d been walking on Coffee Road when a man with a knife tried to rob him. Garcia claimed he was stabbed when he put up his hands to protect himself, Graves said.

Detectives later learned that Garcia had been at the home on Roselawn where Jones was stabbed, Graves said. About noon Sunday, he was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Graves said there was a party at the residence and investigators believe the stabbing was the result of a fight there. She would not say what prompted the fight.

One other person was detained during the course of the investigation Sunday but later released.

“Detectives are still investigating and there is a good possibility that there are more arrests forthcoming,” Graves said.

Garcia is being held without bail. His arraignment had not been scheduled as of Monday evening.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding these crimes call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward. Tips also can be texted to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Type TIP704 along with the message.

This story was originally published January 12, 2015 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Arrest made in west Modesto slaying."