STOCKTON, Calif. — Update June 10:
A search for a man accused of shooting and killing his wife in Stockton has ended after the suspected gunman was found and arrested in Nebraska on Thursday, officials with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said.
Sergio Torres, 52, allegedly shot and killed his wife, Sonia Suarez in the 3600 block of Munford Avenue in Stockton on June 4.
Since the homicide, detectives with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office have been searching for Torres, described as "armed and dangerous."
Thursday night, Torres allegedly ran a stop sign in the city of Sidney, Nebraska. Deputies with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office say that when officials with the Sidney Police Department checked Torres' record, they found the arrest warrant.
Torres is in custody out of state, awaiting extradition to San Joaquin County, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said.
Original Story:
Law enforcement in Stockton is reaching out for the public's help to find a man they say shot and killed his wife Saturday.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office announced that they are looking for Sergio Torres Munguia, 52, who they say shot Sonia Suarez on June 4 in the 3600 block of Munford Avenue in Stockton.
Law enforcement says Suarez was found shot inside a crashed vehicle. According to the deputies, they found a 47-year-old woman, who was the driver and only person in the vehicle, at the scene.
Law enforcement said Suarez was taken to a local area hospital where she died.
During the investigation, it was determined that Munguia was responsible for Suarez's death.
"Sergio Torres is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached by the public," law enforcement wrote.
Anyone with information is asked to call Stockton Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 or SJSO Dispatch at (209) 468-4400.
STOCKTON CRIME IN CONTEXT
The increase in homicide cases in Stockton during the early months of 2022 came on the heels of a decline in 2021, where police reported fewer homicides ending the year with a total of 38 cases.
While that’s not the lowest number the department has dealt with in the past 12 years, it is below the annual average of 40 homicide cases per year since 1995.
In response to the rise in homicides, community groups held prayer vigils and outreach events meant to unite Stockton residents against violence.
Activists have called on the community to show up to such events and work with local organizations such as Advance Peace, Faith in the Valley, Lighthouse of the Valley and the Office of Violence Prevention to discourage crime and help impacted communities heal.
Click here for a map of crime statistics.
In an interview with ABC10 in March, Stockton City Manager Harry Black said the Stockton Police Department is trying to prevent more deaths by working more on intelligence gathering and cooperating with federal partners such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshall's Service.
The city is also working to improve its crime prevention, intervention and fighting strategy, Black said. Representatives with the city's Office of Violence Prevention are working to be more present in communities impacted by crime. The office's 'peacekeepers program' places mediators and mentors in high crime areas.
Watch the full interview: Stockton City Manager Harry Black talks recent crime in the city | Extended Interview
