Full Notification

The Police Department had a relatively busy weekend beginning with the arrest of a Los Banos man for attempted murder Friday at 2:16 p.m.

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder:

On April 17, 2015, Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Rail Trail for a report of an assault. Sergeant Jesus Parras and Officer Miriam Rivas were among the first officers to arrive at the scene.
Two men, 35 and 39 of Los Banos, suffered serious injuries as a result of blunt force trauma. Both men had been struck in the head and body multiple times with what was described as a metal bar.

Witnesses to the assault provided police with a description of the suspect and the direction he fled. Officers stopped a man who fit the suspect’s description in the area and found evidence linking the man to the assault. 25-year-old Eduardo Almanza of Los Banos was arrested and booked into the Los Banos Police Department jail on two counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

The specific motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
The 39-year-old victim was transported to Memorial Hospital Los Banos where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries. The 35-year-old victim was transported by helicopter to a Modesto area hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Injury Traffic Collision:

On April 19, 2015 at approximately 10:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of State Route 152 and Badger Flat Road for a report of an injury traffic collision. Officer Kristifer Hew arrived at the scene and located a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier with six passengers pinned inside.
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier involved in solo vehicle traffic collision

The vehicle is observed on video surveillance travelling westbound on State Route 152. The video shows the vehicle proceeding through the intersection against a red light before colliding with a signal light pole on the northwest corner of the intersection. The driver, a 37-year-old Greenfield, California woman told police her brakes failed just prior to the collision. The woman said she made an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with another motorist and ultimately struck the pole.

The vehicle was occupied by three other females, ages 6, 16 and 44, a man 36, and an infant child. The driver and passengers were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Medical Office Fire:

As Police and Fire were responding to the injury traffic collision at State Route 152 and Badger Flat Road, a fire engine crew observed a building in the 600 block of West I Street, fully engulfed in flames.

The building, described as a doctor’s office had extensive smoke and fire damage. Police began canvassing the area for witnesses to the fire. One witness reportedly saw a man described as a Hispanic male adult, 5’ 6” with a thin build and short black hair walking in the area prior to the fire. The man was further described as wearing a black jacket, black backpack and sunglasses.

The man who was riding a bicycle was accompanied by a Hispanic female described as wearing a pink top.

“The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. We are not sure if the man or woman described by the witness had a role in the cause of the fire. At this point, we just want to talk to them.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

Vehicle Pursuit, DUI:

On April 19, 2015 at 8:42 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of San Luis Street and Snow Goose Drive regarding a reckless driver. A witness told police she believed the driver was under the influence of alcohol or otherwise impaired.

Officer Michael Neal and Training Officer Chris Borchardt found a vehicle matching the description near the intersection of Heron Drive and San Luis Street. The driver fled as the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, leading the officers on a short pursuit. The vehicle eventually stopped near the intersection of Snow Goose Drive and San Luis Street.

The driver, Candelaria Aguilar-Contreras, 33 was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol above .08 percent, driving without a license, evading, and resisting arrest. Contreras’ passengers, Santos Paredes-Hernandez, 48 and Luis Marquez-Hernandez, 36 were both arrested for public intoxication, resisting arrest, and possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

“Police officers responded to 341 calls for services between Friday, April 17th and Sunday, April 19th. As summer approaches, we expect more people to be out enjoying the warmer weather and travelling. We encourage everyone to use extra caution while travelling and to always designate a sober driver.”
- Gary Brizzee, Chief of Police

Anyone with information on any of these incidents or others is encouraged to contact Sergeant Ivan Mendez at (209) 827-7070, ext. 114.

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 contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1(855) 725-2420 or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.