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CRIME DIGEST
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CLERK PUNCHED CHASING OFF VIDEO THIEF: CERES - A clerk at Blockbuster Video in the 2100 block of Hatch Road sustained facial injuries after he chased down a young man who was attempting to steal movies on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

At 6:41 p.m. the clerk saw the suspect run out the "in" door as another male held the door open for him. The clerk ran after the suspect and when he caught up the would-be thief started punching the clerk in the face. The suspect dropped the movies and lost his shirt and ran off on northbound Central Avenue.

The suspect was described as white, blonde haired, being about 20 years of age, standing six feet tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He was wearing a green dress shirt and baggie pants, and a white ball cap with the letter 'S' on it. After the man lost his shirt the clerk could see numerous tattoos on his back.

Police believe that the suspect was connected with a late 1990s green Nissan Maxima that was in the parking lot at the time.

The suspect will be charged with burglary and battery when police find him. Anyone with information on the suspect may call Ceres Police detectives at 538-5727.

GIRLFRIEND CONTRIBUTES TO ARREST: CERES - A girlfriend may have falsely reported that her boyfriend has stolen a car but it got him into trouble as he was allegedly driving while drunk.

At 3:19 a.m. on Sept. 2 the Sheriff's Department was called about a stolen vehicle in the area of South Ninth Street. A Ceres officer spotted the vehicle and pulled it over in the 600 block of Romeo. The vehicle belonged to the driver, Sean Mason, 40, of Modesto but he was arrested because he was intoxicated and driving on a suspended license.

Police say the girlfriend may have reported the crime to get him into trouble.

HE THOUGHT HE HAD A WARRANT BUT DIDN'T: CERES - A Ceres man was arrested after he fled a fire department official who was investigating an earlier grass fire in the area of Railroad and Kinser on Sept. 3.

At 7:23 p.m. Batallion Chief Randy Wheeler was following up on suspects when he approached Richard Castrillo, 30, of Ceres. Castrillo took off running but was later flushed out of the area by OfficerJulio Amador and his canine. Castrillo said he thought that he had a warrant for his arrest but didn't. Castrillo was charged with resisting a fire official during an investigation.

DRUG DEAL DISCOVERED: CERES - Two men were suspected of making a drug deal in the 2100 block of Cleta Court late on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Police were called at 10:27 p.m. about possible trespassing at a vacant house. The officer who arrived determined that Gregory S. Richey, 50, of Ceres, was the owner of the property but acted suspiciously. Being that he was a parolee, Richey was searched and found with methamphetamine as was parolee Eric Yerby, 43, of Ceres.

Richey was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession for sale, possession of marijuana and a parole violation. Yerby was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic syringe and violating the terms of his parole.

JUVENILE FOUND WITH DRUGS: CERES - A 16-year-old Ceres boy was stopped by police as he was walking out past curfew early Friday morning.

At 2:27 a.m. Officer Jason Brock stopped the pedestrian in the area of Stephanie Way and Peltola Street. The teen agreed to a search and was found with methamphetamine, baggies and cash.

He was arrested and cited into Juvenile Hall for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale. His name was not released because of his age.

PAROLEE ARRESTED: CERES - Officer Dirk Niewenhuis observed a parolee at large, John W. Goodall, 33, of Ceres, while on patrol on Saturday and the suspect tried to run away. Goodall was captured at Fifth and North streets and charged with parole violation and resisting arrest.

The incident happened at 12:34 p.m.

GANGS CAUSE TROUBLE: CERES - An alleged party attended by gang members resulted in trouble and arrests in the 800 block of Allarcante Drive early Sunday.

A 911 call was placed at 3:56 a.m. by a neighbor who said a gang fight was occurring in front of a home where a party was taking place. Officers arrived but found that the fight disbanded.

Inside the house officers found an illegal drinking party attended by minors. Derrick N. Valverde, 19, of Ceres, was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

A 17-year-old was turned over to his parents after he was found with tobacco products and alcoholic beverages and determined to be drunk with a blood alcohol content of .10 percent.

Anthony Lopez, 23, of Modesto, was arrested on a DUI warrant.

Police found a discarded cigarette pack containing Ecstasy tablets but were unable to prove who owned it.

Valverde's parents were gone and he decided to throw a party. Police said the gang affiliations were evident in the letters, DSSM, painted on the front door. DSSM stands for Deep South Side Modesto, a local gang.

CHARGES FOR ESTRANGED HUSBAND: CERES - A 911 call placed by a frightened child afraid that his mother would be attacked led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Ceres man on Saturday.

At 10:41 p.m. the child called 911 to report that his father, who was estranged from his mother, broke into his mother's house in the 900 block of Larsen Drive, and was threatening her with a knife. Police arrived quickly and found Joel V. Garcia holding steak knife. He was ordered to drop the knife and was arrested for brandishing a weapon, resisting arrest and outstanding traffic warrant. The woman did not want any charges pressed and told officers that he made no threats.

Deputy Police Chief Mike Borges said that the presence of another adult male in the house "sparked the problem."

WEEKEND DUI ARREST: CERES - A number of drivers were arrested over the weekend for allegedly drinking and driving.

Jose A. Garcia, 35, of Ceres, was weaving as he drove in the 3400 block of Fowler late on Saturday and was arrested by Officer Dan Fairchilds for DUI.

The arrest came at 11:54 p.m..

The second incident occurred late Sunday at 9:54 p.m. when officer Keith Kitscher saw a car being driven without its headlights in the 2600 block of Rivercreek. Driver Hugh A. Eastridge, 20, of Modesto, was booked on charges of DUI.

The third incident occurred at 11:59 p.m. Saturday when Officer Brian Peterson arrested Jimmy D. Underwood, 39, of Empire, in the area of Helen Perry and Eastgate. Peterson saw the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and pulled him over in the 3400 block of Helen Perry Road.

Underwood also was charged with possession of drug parapheranalia.

Curtis L. Moran, 28, of Modesto, was arrested for DUI and hit and run after he allegedly drove his car into a railroad tie used as landscaping in front of Jenny's Family Dining on Herndon Road. The car, which laid down 150 feet of skid mark, was disabled after the crash and its driver was located at the nearby Chevron station. Police said Moran apparently was traveling too fast as he drove northbound on Herndon and because of his imbided state could not avoid the crash early Monday at 2:16 a.m.