Full Notification

MODESTO, CA- Investigators continue to follow-up on a gang-related homicide that occurred in south Modesto in September of 2008. Today, investigators served a search warrant in the city of Sacramento and arrested a suspect as an accessory to this homicide. Investigators are still searching for three other suspects connected with the shooting.

On September 3, 2008, Modesto Police officers responded to a shooting in the area of Dezzani Lane and Ustick Road in south Modesto. When officers arrived they found the victim, Victor Gaona, with several gunshot wounds. Gaona was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. Gaona, a 37-year-old Modesto resident, was gunned downed by the suspects as he walked down the street. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a Honda Accord. Investigators later found the Honda Accord burned in a residential neighborhood in the city of Sacramento.

Immediately after the shooting, investigators from the Central Valley Gang Impact Taskforce (CVGIT) began to follow-up on this case. The task force is an FBI Safe Streets Initiative, which includes local, state, and federal investigators from throughout Stanislaus County. Task force Investigators identified several suspects related to the homicide. Alex Mares, a 23-year-old Modesto resident was arrested for murder and is currently pending a court hearing. Three additional suspects were identified and are currently at-large and wanted for murder. They include:

• Javier Gomez, a Modesto resident with a date of birth of 01-20-86
• Armando Pulido, a Modesto resident with a date of birth of 01-02-83
• Alexander Morfin, a Modesto resident with a date of birth of 03-22-89

Investigators were able to develop information that George Sanchez, a 33-year-old Sacramento resident, aided the suspects in eluding capture after the homicide. Today, investigators from CVGIT, with the assistance of the FBI SWAT team based in Sacramento, served a search warrant at Sanchez’s residence, located at 3306 Broken Branch Court #141, in Sacramento. Investigators also arrested Sanchez for accessory to murder relating to the killing of Gaona. Sanchez was home during the service of the search warrant and he was booked into the Sacramento County Jail.

Investigators hope anyone who knows the whereabouts of Javier Gomez, Armando Pulido, or Alexander Morfin will call the police. All of the suspects are documented Norteno criminal street gang members and are considered armed and dangerous.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to please call Stanislaus County District Attorney Investigator Froilan Mariscal @ (209) 525-5550 or Crime Stoppers toll free @ (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.

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