A Modesto man has been arrested in connection with a violent stabbing that left another man in critical condition late Saturday night, according to the Turlock Police Department.
Police say officers were called to the 4200 block of St. George Place around 11:30 p.m. after reports of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a man inside a vehicle suffering from severe injuries to his face and upper body.
The victim was treated at the scene by Turlock Fire Department crews and paramedics before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified 33-year-old Cesar Romero-Bermudez of Modesto as the primary suspect. Investigators revealed that one of the passengers in the vehicle was Romero-Bermudez’s former girlfriend, who currently has an active domestic violence restraining order against him.
Police said the victim and Romero-Bermudez did not know each other, but believe the attack was targeted and not random.
On Monday, authorities located a vehicle belonging to Romero-Bermudez and conducted a traffic stop. He was detained without incident and later booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on attempted murder charges.
Investigators are continuing to search for another individual who may have been involved in the assault.
“This was an extremely violent and senseless attack,” said Captain Miguel Pacheco, Special Operations Division Commander. “Our patrol officers immediately began piecing together critical information that led to the identification of the suspect, and our detectives and crime analyst worked quickly to locate and arrest him. Their dedication to this investigation reflects the professionalism and persistence that our community expects and deserves.”
The case remains under active investigation, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone who may have witnessed the attack or has knowledge of the second suspect is asked to contact Detective Croxen at (209) 668-6542 or rcroxen@turlock.ca.us. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550, ext. 6780, or emailed to tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
