Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: May 12, 2017
Modesto Police Department
Media Relations Unit
Office of the Chief of Police
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Author: Heather Graves

Modesto, CA – With help from the community, detectives identified and arrested a man suspected of fatally stabbing a store clerk.

On Thursday, May 4th at about 11:50 p.m., dispatch received a medical aid call at the Hatch Food and Gas in the 800 block of Hatch Road for a man who was possibly having a seizure. During an examination, paramedics on scene determined the man, identified as 32-year-old Jagjeet Singh, did not have a seizure, but had been stabbed. Singh was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary findings suggest that a suspect got into a verbal altercation with Singh regarding the sale of cigarettes. The suspect left the store and drove away from the area. A short time later, the suspect’s vehicle reappeared in the parking lot and the suspect was seen exiting the car in different clothing. As the victim was securing the business at closing time, the suspect approached the victim and stabbed him.

During the course of the investigation, detectives received information that led them to 23-year-old Lester Portillo. A search warrant was served at Portillo’s southwest Modesto residence yesterday afternoon where he was taken into custody. He was later booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for murder.

Please note that this release is intended to be a brief summary of events based on preliminary information. As we continue our investigation, we welcome any information that would help us better understand what took place. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.


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