Full Notification

On August 27, 2014, at approximately 2:10 a.m., Los Banos Police Officers responded to the area of Overland Avenue and Cabernet Street for a man asking for help. When officers arrived they contacted a 24-year-old Gustine man, who was the victim of a carjacking.

The victim told officers he was parked in the parking lot with a female, known only to the victim as “Jessica.” A black male suspect approached the victim and robbed him at knife point as the pair sat in the car. The female fled the area on foot as the suspect held the victim at knife point.

The suspect ordered the victim out of his vehicle and fled the area in the victim’s 1994 Honda Civic.

Officers canvassed the area and found 24-year-old Jessica Lee Powell casually walking through the neighborhood. Powell told the officers she was with the victim when the robbery occurred. A short time later 20-year-old Clarence Gabriel Ganner was detained by police in the same general area. Ganner matched the suspect description and Powell’s story to police just didn’t quite add up.

The victim positively identified Ganner as the robbery suspect.
As the investigation continued, the officers learned Powell and Ganner had conspired together to plan the robbery; the two communicated before and after the robbery via text message.

“This robbery was pre-planned by members of a local criminal street gang. Ganner and other gang members worked with Powell to set up the victim. The victim was familiar to Powell, and she used that trust to set him up for a robbery.”
- Sean Bayard, Detective

On August 28, 2014, Detectives served two separate search warrants in connection with this crime at residences in the 400 block of Mandarin Avenue and 100 block of 2nd Street.

“We may be serving additional search warrants as the investigation continues. Gang members and their criminal activity are not welcome in Los Banos. We will seek out and target those involved with relentless prosecution.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

Ganner and Powell were both arrested and booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail Facility. Ganner’s charges include: robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, and a gang enhancement. Ganner remains in custody in lieu of $235,000.00 bail. Powell was charged with robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Powell remains in custody in lieu of $205,000.00 bail.

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