Full Notification

**UPDATE** At approximately 3:20 p.m., the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Unit (SIU) located Ernesto Covarrubias, Jr. in the area of Mitchell Avenue and East Hawkeye Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident and turned over to Turlock Police Department Detectives.

Covarrubias was interviewed and will be booked on charges of attempt homicide, assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer and being under 21 years of age and in possession of a firearm.

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On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at approximately 8:44 p.m., Turlock Police Officers responded to assist the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department on a Be On The Look-Out (BOL) for occupants in a white sedan who were seen shooting outside city limits, in the area of Berkeley Road and Alderson Road.

At approximately 9:21 p.m., a Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the responsible vehicle and attempted an enforcement stop in the area of Seasons Park Drive. At least one occupant of the vehicle shot at the Deputy while the driver of the vehicle sped away. The Deputy was not struck and did not return fire. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped in the area of Spring Crest Drive, where the three occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. Turlock Police Officers arrived on scene moments later.

Deputies from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and Officers from California State University Stanislaus, Modesto PD, Ceres PD, Modesto CHP and Merced CHP were called in to assist with this investigation and locate the occupants.

A search for the occupants ensued, while the Turlock Police Department began investigating the shooting that involved the Deputy. The search and investigation lasted for over six hours, and resulted in two of the three occupants being located and three firearms found.
The third occupant is outstanding but has been identified as Ernesto Covarrubias, Jr., 18 years, resident of Turlock. This is an on-going investigation and police are looking for your assistance in locating Covarrubias. If Covarrubias is spotted, do not approach and immediately contact authorities. The identities of the two other occupants are not being released at this time.

Turlock Police Detectives ask that anyone with information, to call Detective Timothy Redd at (209) 664-7325. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at [email protected]. If there are any questions regarding the initial shooting that occurred in Stanislaus County, please contact Stanislaus County Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras at (209) 652-6888.

The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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This information is being released by Turlock Police Department Sergeant Michael Parmley.

Any media requests should contact:
Sergeant Michael Parmley
Office of Professional Standards
Turlock Police Department
Office phone - (209) 664-7345
Email – [email protected]