Full Notification

Riverbank, CA - 

On 5/17/22 @ 1:12 a.m., patrol deputies with Riverbank Police Services tried to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of Westgate Dr and Roselle Ave.  The car they attempted to stop was a gold Cadillac driven by 27-year-old Modesto resident Justin Rocha.  Deputies were at first investigating traffic infractions only. 
 
When the Cadillac failed to pull-over, a three-minute vehicle pursuit ensued until it needed to be terminated out of safety concerns.  The Cadillac was later located; however, Rocha was again able to avoid immediate capture.  We later received 911 calls from people reporting a vehicle fire at the dead-end of American Avenue in unincorporated Modesto.  Rocha also tried to make a false 911 report to say his Cadillac had been stolen. 
 
Deputies proceeded with caution and checked to verify the calls were accurate.  Rocha was found hiding in a nearby field, hunkered down in the brush, armed with four different firearms.  When he failed to follow the instructions given to him by our personnel, the K9 assisted with the apprehension, and the man was safely taken into custody. 
 
Justin Rocha was a previously convicted felon; therefore, was arrested and booked into the Public Safety Center for nine different felony and misdemeanor weapons and evasion charges.  He received medical treatment for the dog bite injuries. 
 
Rocha is currently being held in lieu of $465,000 bail.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  We are pleased to report none of our deputies or community members were injured in the process.