On September 16, 2018 at 2:19 p.m., Ofc. Todd Carter responded to Santa Barbara and N. Santa Monica for a vandalism report. Ofc. Carter located a parked vehicle that had a window shot out by a BB gun. A neighbor of the victim had a photograph of the suspect vehicle leaving the scene. A short time, later Ofc. Carter located the suspect vehicle parked at Stonewood Drive and Parkwood Avenue, but the vehicle was unoccupied. The suspects eventually returned to the vehicle, and Ofc. Carter detained 18-year-old Jesua Ramos-Ruiz and a 17-year-old male. Ofc. Carter searched the suspect vehicle and located evidence linking them to the vandalism. Both subjects were arrested for felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a crime.

The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents, and Ramos-Ruiz was booked into the Merced County Jail where he remained in custody in lieu of $5,000.00 bail. After the arrests, officers investigated an additional three vandalisms on N. Santa Monica Street.

The criminal investigation is ongoing. Any additional victims in the area are encouraged to contact the Los Banos Police Department. Anyone with any information about these crimes is encouraged to contact Ofc. Carter at (209) 827-7070 ext. 0.