On September 7, 2014, at approximately 9:58 p.m., Los Banos Police Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Pacheco Boulevard to investigate an attempted robbery of a local business. A 9-1-1 caller told police the suspect fled in an easterly direction from the business.
Officer Steven Odom contacted witnesses at the business who provided the suspect’s description and direction of travel. Officer Odom in turn relayed this information to responding officers.
Officer Nathan Bowling spotted the suspect behind a business in the 1100 block of Pacheco Boulevard and broadcasted the suspect’s location to other officers. Sergeant Brent Torongo detained the suspect, 20-year-old Sergio Zarco of Los Banos.
“This patrol team is responsible for capturing the suspect and bringing this case to a successful conclusion. This was a well-coordinated team effort and each officer played an important role in identifying and capturing the suspect.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander
The investigation revealed that Zarco entered the business, demanded money and produced a weapon. The suspect assaulted the 44-year-old female clerk by violently pulling her through the business with the weapon in hand. The clerk and suspect struggled near the front door of the business as the woman tried to escape. An unsuspecting store patron drove up to the business spoiling Zarco’s robbery attempt.
Zarco was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on charges of attempted-robbery and kidnapping. Zarco remains in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility in lieu of $165,000.00 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
