Full Notification

On May 28, 2015 at approximately 11:25 a.m., Los Banos police officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Maryland Avenue related to an assault. The officers arrived and found a 20-year-old Mendota man suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the right arm.

The man told Detectives he was walking in the 1200 block of Maryland Avenue when he was approached by three males driving a gray or silver colored PT Cruiser. The suspects exited the vehicle and confronted the victim, asking him what gang he claimed.

The suspects began to assault the victim, kicking and punching him several times. During the assault the victim was shot by one of the suspects. The suspects fled the area in a silver or gray PT Cruiser and the victim ran to a local business for help.

Detectives developed information linking three men to the crime. Two of the men have been identified as brothers, David Javier Vazquez, 19, and Robert Luis Vazquez, 18, of Los Banos. Detectives are seeking third suspect described as a Hispanic male, in his early to late 20’s, standing between 5’9” and 5’10” tall with a stocky build.

“Our Detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Maryland Avenue and uncovered evidence linking the three suspects to the crime. My hope is that the third suspect will recognize his mistake, come forward, and accept responsibility, but until that time we will not stop looking for him.”
-Jason Hedden, Police Commander

David Javier Vazquez and Robert Luis Vazquez both remain in custody at the John Latoracca Correctional Center charged in lieu of $100,000 bail. The Merced County District Attorney’s Office has filed an assault with a deadly weapon charges and great bodily injury charges against both men.

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.