Turlock Area News

On Friday, February 10th, 2023, at 5:32 pm, the Turlock Police Department was dispatched to a reported larceny that had just occurred at Big 5 Sporting Goods, 599 N Golden State Blvd, Turlock, after a man had been seen walking out of the business with a scooter that he hadn’t paid for.

Officers arrived in the area and began searching for the suspect when they came across a man later identified as Victor Garcia, 37, of Modesto, matching his description near the intersection of E Olive Ave and N Thor St.

Officers contacted Garcia, who was in possession of a large cardboard box that contained the stolen scooter. When officers attempted to detain Garcia in handcuffs, a struggle ensued. Officers were able to eventually overcome Garcia and put him in handcuffs.

The manager of Big 5 was then brought to Garcia and he confirmed that Garcia was indeed who had stolen the scooter.

When officers asked Garcia to identify himself, he gave someone else’s name, however, his actual name was discovered after he was fingerprinted. Garcia turned out to have a no-bail felony bench warrant for assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.

Garcia was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of false personation, shoplifting, and obstructing or resisting a public officer in the discharge of their duty, as well as his warrant.