A 17-year-old teenage boy was grazed in the back by two shots fired at him Saturday evening possibly by the man who tried to earlier steal the cell phone the victim was trying to sell.

Police said the teen, his brother and niece went at the Chevron gas station at 1821 Mitchell Road where they prearranged a meeting to sell the phone. The suspect, a black man, showed up and was handed the phone. He was looking at the phone and then bolted off on foot with the teen and brother giving chase. The pair caught the would-be thief and retrieved the phone. They then left the scene.

A short time later, at approximately 6:48 p.m., the victims were stopped at a red light atop the Whitmore Overpass when a vehicle pulled to the right side and opened fire. The teen and vehicle were hit several times by 9mm bullets. Police believe the shooter was the same suspect who tried to steal the phone.

After the shooting the victims drove to the Chevron gas station on Herndon Road where they spotted a Stanislaus County deputy and got help. Paramedics were called and transported him to a local hospital for treatment.

Ceres Police went to the shooting site and collected eight 9mm shell casings. Detectives are still investigating. Anyone who has any information regarding the suspect or the case are urged to call Detective Sgt. Danny Vierra at 538-5672.