Full Notification

Modesto, CA – Homicide detectives have been working diligently in piecing together a challenging murder investigation, which to date, has yielded little clues. Investigators have released a surveillance video of a suspect, in the hope someone recognizes this person and is able to help police investigators identify this individual.

On Saturday August 14, 2010, at about 7:23 PM, Modesto Police officers received a call of a subject down in the parking lot of Humphrey’s College, located at 3600 Sisk Road, in northwest Modesto. When officers arrived, they found 37-year-old Ernie Hernandez Jr. lying on the ground, suffering from a violent assault. Due to the extent of his injuries, Hernandez was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Today, police investigators released surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex. The surveillance video captured an image of a young male adult, possibly a white or Hispanic male in his early to mid twenties, wearing a black tank top and black knee length shorts with a wide white strip on the sides. The subject had short black hair and has a large tattoo on his left arm. The subject was running from the location where Ernie Hernandez Jr. was assaulted.

A second male subject can also be seen in the background, running northbound on Sullivan Court. Investigators are still trying to determine his involvement.

Police ask anyone who may recognize this individual to please call Modesto Police Tip Line @ (209) 342-6166 or Crime Stoppers @ (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

To see the surveillance video go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZyDG6SpsHU

For information about this news release, please contact police spokesperson Sergeant Rick Armendariz at (209) 652-1820.