Full Notification

On December 16, 2024, at 12:53 p.m., deputies responded to a reported armed robbery that occurred in the 800 block of Mirandy Lane in Waterford. According to the victim, three suspects, two of which pointed handguns at him, robbed him of his personal belongings, including the keys to his 2010 Volkswagen Beetle, before fleeing in the stolen vehicle.

During a search of the area, deputies located the stolen car traveling westbound on Yosemite Boulevard near Claus Road. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver fled with two other occupants, beginning a pursuit through Modesto and Empire. While the driver and two other occupants were fleeing, two handguns were tossed from the car near Celeste Drive in Modesto, both of which were recovered. One suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jonathan Witt, attempted to flee on foot near Edgebrook Drive and Colfax Avenue, but was quickly apprehended by K9 Renzo.

As the two remaining men continued to flee in the Volkswagen, the car tires were successfully spiked twice. As the 27-minute pursuit was coming to an end on B Street in the city of Empire, the suspect's vehicle struck a patrol deputy’s car. The remaining two suspects, 33-year-old Benjamin Witt and 23- year-old Nathan Green were taken into custody. Deputies were familiar with Green, as he had an active warrant for his arrest for felony domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon from an incident earlier this month.

A deputy not directly involved in the pursuit, but attempting to assist, was involved in a traffic collision with an uninvolved vehicle, occupied by an adult and juvenile, at the intersection of Claus Road and Yosemite Boulevard. None of the involved parties were injured.

All three suspects were booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for the following charges: Benjamin Witt: Conspiracy to commit a crime Jonathan Witt: Conspiracy to commit a crime, vehicle theft, carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading, resisting arrest, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Nathan Green: Conspiracy to commit a crime, vehicle theft, carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading, and a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The successful apprehension of these suspects highlights the department's commitment to public safety. Without the victim's immediate reporting of the incident and cooperation throughout the incident, the three men may not have been apprehended so quickly and still be in possession of firearms.