Full Notification

SHOOTING LEADS TO PURSUIT; ATTEMPTED CAR JACKING

Modesto, CA – Modesto Police pursued a car believed to be related to a shooting in southeast Modesto. At least one of the suspects attempted to carjack a vehicle at the conclusion of the pursuit. Both men were arrested.

At about 1:00 AM Thursday morning police were in the area of Encina and Trask Avenues investigating a collision when they heard the sound of shots fired. As the gunshots came closer they spotted a red Dodge Neon driving southbound on North Riverside Drive near Encina Avenue. Believing the car was related, officers attempted to stop the car but the driver accelerated and a short pursuit was initiated.

The driver of the Neon, 22-year-old Modesto resident Rudy Carlos Lopez, lost control of his car in a construction zone near Yosemite Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. Lopez and a second male, 22-year-old Modesto resident Juan Miguelo Trujillo, ran from the car. Lopez ran to a car which had stopped near the conclusion of the pursuit and attempted to open the door to the car which was occupied by two women. Lopez was unsuccessful. Rudy Lopez was arrested a short time later in the 2900 block of Yosemite Boulevard.

A resident of the Redwood apartments at Lincoln and Yosemite reported seeing a male running through the complex with a firearm just after the attempted carjacking. A search, utilizing a police canine led officers to Trujillo who was found hiding on top of a shed in the 1900 block of Sugarpine Avenue.

Rudy Lopez and Juan Trujillo were arrested for negligent discharge of a firearm, evading police, attempted carjacking, participation in a criminal street gang, and parole violations. Police could not find a victim of a shooting; however additional charges could result if it is found that a residence was struck during the shooting.

For further information regarding this press release please contact Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.