Two of three suspects in fatal Turlock stabbing now in custody
On Monday, hours after identifying two additional suspects in a fatal stabbing that occurred early Friday, Turlock police had one of them in custody.
One of the three suspects, Manuel Maldonado, 29, of Turlock, had been captured Friday. Midafternoon Monday, police said in a news release that they’d identified the two other men involved as Alfonso Garcia, 23, and David Rivera Cruz, 30, both of Turlock.
Within a few hours, at about 5:20 p.m., members of the Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit determined David Rivera Cruz, 30, was in the 200 block of East Tuolumne Road.
After obtaining a search warrant, Detectives and SIU investigators found Cruz in the residence. He was taken into custody without incident and will face charges of aggravated assault likely to cause great bodily injury, according to a news release. He remained in custody Tuesday morning, with bail set at $250,000
The third suspect, Alfonso Garcia, 23, remains at large.
The stabbing was reported Friday morning on Lander Avenue near Bernall Avenue. David Gomez Mendoza, 28, of Modesto was stabbed and later died as a result of his injuries.
Surveillance video in the area captured a group of men arriving at a liquor store in the 900 block of Lander Avenue in a 2003 GMC Yukon. They confronted several men, including the victim, who were standing outside the store.
After a brief altercation, Mendoza ran across the street in an attempt to get away, but the suspects chased him and stabbed him, authorities said.
Detectives arrested Maldonado after finding him driving a Yukon that matched the description of the one seen in the video. He was booked on suspicion of homicide and is being held without bail.
Asked if the difference in Cruz’s and Maldonado’s charges indicate that investigators believe only the latter of the two stabbed Mendoza, Police Department spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley said in a text message, “Unfortunately, we are not releasing that information” but “the charge for Maldonado should speak for itself.”
Police are asking the public’s help in locating Garcia but warn that anyone who spots him should “immediately call 911. Do not attempt to approach him as he is considered dangerous.”
Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to call Detective Frank Navarro at 209-664-7319 or the Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550, ext. 6780. Tips may be emailed to tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
Callers may leave an anonymous tip with Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
This story was originally published September 13, 2022 at 10:30 AM.
