Domestic violence suspect arrested in Turlock

A suspect wanted on suspicion of beating and threatening his girlfriend while she was holding her baby was arrested after he tried to run from police Tuesday afternoon in Turlock.

Fernando Valencia, 23, was spotted by an officer near West Main Street and West Avenue about 4:40 p.m., said officer Mayra Lewis. As an officer approached Valencia, he reportedly ran and quickly was found hiding in a shed about a block away.

Valencia was wanted in connection with a Sept. 5 incident in which authorities say he hit his girlfriend in the head while she was holding her 1-year-old son. When she tried to leave, he swung a frying pan at her but missed, Lewis said.

He also is accused of threatening her with a knife.

Valencia was arrested on charges including false imprisonment, spousal abuse, child endangerment and resisting arrest.

This story was originally published September 19, 2012 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Domestic violence suspect arrested in Turlock."