Full Notification

On July 28, 2014 at approximately 8:00 a.m., Los Banos Police Detectives received information regarding the whereabouts of one of two shooting suspects involved in this case. The information led Detectives to the Modesto area, where one suspect was located outside a local doctor’s office.

Detectives had been following leads and during the course of the investigation identified 23-year-old Armando Ruiz of as a suspect in the June 2, 2014, shooting in the 600 block of Winemaker Street.

“The second suspect in this case remains at large. We are examining new evidence and continuing our work in an effort to identify the outstanding suspect.”
- Ivan Mendez, Detective Sergeant

Ruiz was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on charges of assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, conspiracy to commit a crime and participation in a criminal street gang. Ruiz remains in custody at the Merced Main Jail in lieu of $100,000.00 bond.

####

**Original Press Release - June 10, 2014**
Police Investigate Two Weekend Shootings

On June 7, 2014 at approximately 12:39 a.m., Los Banos Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 500 block of I Street. Early reports indicate an unknown male suspect fired shots and fled the area. The suspect was last seen running south on 6th Street and no further description was provided.

Officers located and detained two males running a short distance from the shooting scene. The two males are connected to criminal street gangs; however, their specific involvement in the shooting is unknown.

A second shooting was reported on June 7, 2014 at approximately 9:11 p.m. in the 100 block of Santa Barbara Street. Officers arrived and located evidence of a shooting, but encountered uncooperative parties. Witnesses reported different versions of events to police, painting an unclear picture for investigators.

“The victims in both cases were uncooperative with Officers and Detectives, leaving many questions unanswered. It becomes more difficult to solve these types of crimes with uncooperative victims and reluctant witnesses, but this will not deter our efforts of finding those responsible and holding them accountable.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

Police are looking for a dark green or blue 4-door sedan and a gold colored Toyota Camry or Chrysler Sebring type vehicle in connection with the Santa Barbara shooting. The involvement of these vehicles and the role the occupants may have played is unclear at this time.

The parties contacted following both shootings have ties to criminal street gangs, but these shootings do not appear to be connected. No injuries were reported in these shootings.

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org