The Stanislaus County Sheriff announced Friday during a press conference the arrest of the suspect who murdered Corporal Ronil Singh of the Newman Police Department.
UPDATE – a total of 7 people have now been arrested.
Sheriff Adam Christianson said Kern County Sheriff’s deputies captured 32-year-old Gustavo Perez Arriaga Friday morning at a home in Bakersfield. Arriaga has been arrested and will be transported to Stanislaus County. Arriaga will be charged with homicide.
Photo (L to R) – Adrian Virgen and Erik Razo Quiroz
Two other men, 25-year-old Adrian Virgen and 27-year-old Erik Razo Quiroz, were arrested yesterday for helping Arriaga escape after he shot and killed Corporal Singh. Virgen was arrested in Hanford. Quiroz was arrested in Modesto. Virgen and Quiroz were arrested for accessory after the fact to a felony.
According to Christianson, all three men were in the country illegally. He added that Arriaga had entered the country several years ago in Arizona and had two prior DUI arrests. Arriaga was captured while trying to flee the country back to Mexico.
Christianson stated that Federal partners (DHS, ICE, FBI, US Customs and Border Protection) all came to their aid, task forces, they had it available. State and local law enforcement assisted in working together to pursue justice.
Police tracked a vehicle to the location in Bakersfield and it was under surveillance for the past 24-hours including an assist from an airship from the California Highway Patrol.
“They intentionally lied to us and tried to divert us off the investigation and mislead us. They provided information that was false all in an attempt to protect their brother who we also know was trying to flee to Mexico,” said Christianson. “That was his goal, to get across the border”
He further highlighted how Arriaga cross the United States border illegally some time ago.
“He is a criminal, he has two prior arrests for DUI, remember that’s the reason officer Singh stopped him because we had probable cause because he was under the influence of alcohol. Past behavior is typically a predictor for future behavior,” said Christianson. “And an officer loses his life over a DUI stop from someone who was previously arrested.
Christianson also highlighted how Arriaga has known gang affiliations—Surenos Street gangs – with social media photographs promoting himself as a “gangster”.
“While we absolutely need to stay focused on officer Singh sacrifice, we can’t ignore the fact that this could have been preventable and under SB-54 in California, based on two arrests for DUI and other active warrants that this criminal has out there, law enforcement would have been prohibited from sharing any information with ICE about this criminal gang member. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not how you protect a community. This is not how you assure the people who live in our community regardless of their ethnicity, culture, race, any of that, they live in a safe community because there are people who want to exploit and victimize others.”
He further highlighted how officer Singh paid the ultimate price and they needed to have a conversation about that while noting there was many misinformation being spread on social media and through the news media.
Later in the press conference, Christianson highlighted this incident should have been reported to ICE but they were prohibited under state law.
“This is a criminal illegal alien with prior criminal activity that should have been reported to ICE, law enforcement was prohibited because of Sanctuary Laws and that led to the encounter with Officer Singh,” explained Christianson. “I am suggesting that the outcome could have been different if law enforcement wasn’t restricted, prohibited or had their hands tied because of political interference.”
He further clarified his statement.
“If he wasn’t here and driving drunk, it wouldn’t have been reported to officer Singh, the encounter, the enforcement stop potentially would have never occurred,” said Christianson. “My point is why are we providing sanctuary for criminals, gang members, it’s a conversation we need to have.”
He stated he was not there to talk about President Donald Trumps agenda, but stated Border Security goes hand in hand with public safety and safety of the community.
“We, law enforcement, need to be able, unrestricted, without political interference, we need to be able to protect our community,” said Christianson. “We are not here to enforce federal immigration law, that is not our job. But law enforcement should be able turn people over to ICE who are committing crimes, who are gang members, who victimize and exploit others.”
Christianson closed by saying he still has to protect the suspects right to a fair trial and due process and they were not going to violate that.
When asked if this was being politicized, Christianson said it was.
“Of course, it’s being politicized, the last thing in the world I want to do is politicized the death of officer Singh, but let’s go back to Ron, an immigrant. immigrated here lawfully and legally to pursue his American dream. He achieved that goal and his dream was taken from him. No, we shouldn’t politicize it, but we have to have a conversation about restrictive legislation that puts our communities at risk,” said Christianson. “I’m here to protect the people Stanislaus County regardless of who they are, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what their party affiliation is, their political preference. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that everyone who lives in our community can enjoy a safe, healthy, vibrant, diverse community. It’s that simple.”
UPDATED
This afternoon, detectives arrested two additional people for aiding Arriaga in evading authorities following the murder of Corporal Singh. Detectives arrested Arriaga’s girlfriend, Ana Leyde Cervantes (30, Newman) in Turlock and his brother, Conrado Virgen Mendoza (34, Chowchilla) in Livermore.
The three suspects arrested at the house in Bakersfield were booked in Kern County. Kern County has a policy that they do not release booking photos.
On Thursday, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson stated during a press conference that the suspect who shot and killed Officer Ronil Singh was not in the country legally.
Christianson stated the suspect was not a resident of Newman and had immigrated into the United States illegally. He added Suspect was originally pulled over on suspicion of a DUI when a gunfight broke out.
“We are actively investigating every lead, we have spared no expense, we have multiple teams following up every lead, and we will relentlessly continue to hunt our suspect down and bring him to justice so we can bring closure to this community and this police department,” stated Christianson.
Christianson offered his deepest condolences to Chief Richardson, the family, the law enforcement family and the community of Newman who had never suffered a line-of-duty death.
“This suspect, unlike Ron who immigrated into this country lawfully and legally to pursue his life-long career of public safety and public service and being a police officer, this suspect is in our country illegally and he doesn’t belong here, he is a criminal,” said Christianson. “We will find him, we will arrest him and we will bring him to justice.”
According to the Christianson, they were not releasing the suspects name because it would be irresponsible of them without absolutely knowing without any doubt that they have identified the right suspect.
“It is purely an internal protocol in identifying people and releasing names understanding that social media always gets a head of us and am pretty sure some of you have already figured out who it is but it is not appropriate for me to identify until we are absolutely 100% certain we have the right name,” said Christianson. “Many people share the same name, so we don’t want to make a mistake like that.”
Christianson believes the suspect is still located within Stanislaus County and encouraged him to surrender himself peacefully. He is considered armed and dangerous.
With regards to the markets at the scene of the shooting, Christianson stated there was a gun fight between Singh and the suspect and that he tried to defend himself and stop this credible threat.
Singh, 33, was a Fiji native who entered the country legally, was a member of the Newman Police Department since July 2011.
Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson highlighted the department was just 12-members and that he relieved Singh on Christmas Day so he could spend some time with his family.
“What needs to be known is that he was truly just a human being, an American patriot. Ron was not born in America, he was born in Fiji. He came to this country with one purpose and that was to serve this country,” said Richardson who added when he came to this country, all he wanted to do was become a police officer.
Richardson said that Sam, Singh’s K9 who was with, was uninjured in the incident. Sam will be retied and remain with the family saying he would not take another family member from them.
“Please remember the man, please remember the husband, please remember what he was, what he came to this country to do. Yes he was a police officer, but more importantly he was a human being,” said Richardson. “That is how he would want to be remembered, he was proud to wear the uniform and he does want to be remembered as a police officer, but don’t forget the other things. The little things that are often forgotten in these stories.”
Richardson called the suspect a “coward” and hopes he does the right thing and turns himself in.
CORPORAL RONIL SINGH MEMORIAL FUND (Newman Police Department)
The Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association (SSDA) has established a Corporal Ronil Singh, Newman PD Memorial Fund. Donations can be made several ways:
In Person:
Any West America Bank Branch to the Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Fund
(Newman Police Department)
Mailed to:
Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association
Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Fund
PO Box 2314
Ceres, CA 95307
Online:
https://www.stanislaussworn.com/donation.html
Please be aware there are NO other approved or authorized memorial fund or online fundraising accounts that will be established.
Original Release:
Newman Police Officer Ronil Singh (33) was shot and killed during a traffic stop just before 1:00 AM on Wednesday morning 12/26/18. At 12:57 AM, Officer Singh called off on a traffic stop at Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Newman.
A few moments later he called out “shots fired” over the radio. Multiple agencies responded to assist and Singh was found at the scene with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The suspect had fled the scene in his vehicle prior to assisting officer’s arrival. A gray, extended cab Dodge Ram pickup was seen in the area at the time of the shooting.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department will be leading the investigation. Detectives have photographs of the suspect and suspect vehicle and are asking anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect to contact Detective Michael Fisher at 209-525-7083 or dispatch at 209-552-2468.
Officer Singh was a native of Fiji and has been employed by Newman Police Department since July 2011. “Our Newman Police family is devastated by the loss of Ronil,” said Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson. “If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the suspect, please contact law enforcement immediately so we can get this cop-killer off the streets.”
This investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward
38 comments
Every politician in Sacramento that approved this sanctuary law should be arrested as accomplices to this murder!!
I second that motion and it’s high time that every single one of those state reps were charged as accomplices!
I also agree
The idiotic law which made this state a “sanctuary” state and forbade our law enforcement people to work with ICE to get these illegals out, was written by none other than Kevin De Leon! None of us voted for this law. The California idiotic legislature just passed it. I hope Mrs. Singh goes after Kevin De Leon with a massive, massive personal lawsuit!
Kevin De Leon is the one who authored it and got that sanctuary city law passed.
The liberals that made these stupid law’s are just as guilty as he is for the death of Officer Singh! He should have been deported a long time ago! Are politicians do NOT care about us at all! My thoughts and prayers are with officer Singh’s family and friends.
Let’s just wait and see how long it takes before a liberal lunatic sets up a go fund me account in the killers name to pay for his attorney since we all know liberals LOVE illegal alien criminals.
He shoulda went for 2
Screw sanctuary laws.
Unreal how elected officials(not mine) protect anyone who enters this country illegally. Brown, burn in hell!
How about arresting all the people who employ illegals! Illegals would not be here if they could not get jobs. Companies trying to keep their costs down and profits up hire illegals. They should be in jail.
I agree with you and it should start at the top with Donald Trump who has a long history of hiring illegal immigrants and undocumented workers.
Mark, get a clue. Trump first president in decades to listen to law abiding citizens!
Unless you are a wealthy influential business man or a big donor Donald Trump doesn’t hear a word you say, you are insignificant to him, he throws out some red meat crazy campaign statements to get your votes but that’s where the relationship ends. Just consider this; “and Mexico is going to pay for it”. Right now he’s blaming Democrats for not funding his wall, no mention of how he’s been unable to get the money from Mexico. The money the Dems don’t want to give him is your money and my money, not Mexican money. The truth of the matter is that his campaign statement should have been; ‘and you suckers are going to pay for it because I’ll never be able to negotiate a deal where Mexico pays for it’. It just sounds better when I say Mexico will pay for it.
Wow, you are really a blow hard, babbling idiot!!!!!
This is the first time EVER, in the history of our nation, that a President has kept his campaign promises and you whine and complain like a baby wearing a wet diaper!!!!
You obviously don’t understand or comprehend that Trump is winning and you moronic liberals can’t stand it. We had a complete fool for the past eight years who made America weak and pathetic and now that we have a President who says what he means and means what he says you dipstick liberals can’t stand it.
Every illegal immigrant should be removed from our country and they can get in line behind the individuals who are going through the LEGAL process the correct way.
BTW, do your research. Melania was and has NEVER been an illegal immigrant. Your ignorance is like a blaring fog horn.
Get it over it. Obama was a stooge who became President because some Caucasians suffer from white guilt; and over 90% of blacks voted for him because they are too stupid and ignorant to pick up a book and learn the Democratic history that has and continues to destroyed the black community.
Barack & Michelle Obama are the most RACIST people in America and far too many of you choose to ignore their race baiting ideology. Since Obama is such a hero to liberal whites and blacks that worship at his feet, during his eight years as President why did he NEVER, EVER go to Chicago or other predominantly black communities around the Nation and confront black men who are terrorizing their own people? Easy answer: it’s because Barack Obama is a sniveling coward and like ALL Democratic politicians they use blacks for their votes every four years and ignore them completely until the next election. How do I know this because I AM BLACK and I’m not ignorant or stupid enough to be Democrat. Blacks cry racism, Jim Crow, KKK, and white supremacy yet that vote for the Democratic party that enslaved them physically and has kept them mentally and emotionally enslaved for past 60 plus years. It was DemonKKKrats who voted against the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to keep blacks deprived of their basic human rights and they (the Democrats) have not changed; social programs like Welfare and Section 8 are the NEW slave plantations that keeps blacks in a revolving door of poverty and dysfunctional families.
Republicans throughout History have fought for the civil rights and economic independence of black people but the vast majority of our people are too busy shaking their asses to rap music and listening to millionaire black athletes who have the common sense of a cow turd.
If you don’t like what I have said, too bad. Get over it!!!
We are a nation of laws and if you want to enter our country the legal way, welcome!!!! But if you come here illegally I don’t care if your from Haiti, Africa, Ireland, Canada, Vietnam, N Korea, or Mexico. Deport them.
TRUMP 2020!!!!! MAGA!!!
Mark, Trump has already reached an agreement with Mexico’s new president (AMLO, when he was president-elect) about how they will pay for the wall. You need to keep up with the news! Democrats want more immigrants here in order to build up their voting base.
There is NO such thing as white guilt. That’s a MYTH. And yes, I’m a Republican. White people voted for Obama because they’re liberal, not because of guilt. Guilt is felt when you’ve done something wrong. Get over the white guilt myth. ALL white people enjoy white advantages.
Mark .. Trump doesn’t hire people. His business managers hire contractors who hire the people they want to work for them.
Responsibility lies at the top, you get a clue, Trump’s wife was an illegal but he got that white washed, her parents were allowed in to the US through chain migration. You don’t know the truth about your beloved Idol,, he’s a crook and a liar and you are being taken for a ride.
Mark, your candidate (Hillary) lost and you can’t get over it! Melania Knauss was never “illegal” — she had a work visa! Her parents applied for US citizenship after Melania married Trump. They now have DUAL citizenship (Slovenian and US). Also, the Knauss’ were not destitute people and monied people are welcomed here all the time. Look at Khazr Khan, the one who blasted Trump at the Dem convention! Khan said he and his family got into this country with nothing! Well, that’s not true. The Khan family entered this country will MILLIONS!
Any Illegals with a felony record should start packing their bags now. The FED’s will be coming thru soon.
More cops have been killed by Americans than by illegals though…
Hey Yuri! Don’t be a “хуй” — Even if one American (cop or civilian) is killed by an illegal, that’s one too many!
Thank you Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson for speaking the truth. I’m aftaid nothing will change in California, the liberal politicians think they can only receive and secure their votes by protecting illegals no matter the cost to the community. Officer Signh Paid the ultimate price, may he Rest In Peace. My heart aches for his wife, daughter and family. Thank you officer Signh for your service, you will never be forgotten.
F#&$( all you people that are using the race card…if the company’s didn’t hire ileagals then there wouldn’t be companys or workers ,cause some Americans dont want to work would rather live off the state an tax payers…every race has them lazy ,low life people..
Get a clue Nick. There are LARGE numbers of whites within and outside the Democratic who felt we needed to elect a black President out of self induced guilt and voted for Obama to make themselves feel better.
Barack & Michelle Obama are the same as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Maxine Waters. They are ALL race hustlers and poverty pimps who use black folks every four years for votes and abandon the black community as soon as the election is over!!!!!
Fortunately, more and more blacks are starting to wake up and realize that they are used as suckers. If anyone disagrees that the Obama’s are not racist go back and listen to the speeches they have given to predominantly black audiences.
America had a blalantly racist President and First Lady for eight years in the White House and it was ignored because you wanted to be politically correct.
I agree with Nick White guilt is BS. For you to speak for white people is as foolish as me trying to pretend I know what’s it’s like to be black. I also believe they voted for Obama because they’re liberal Democrats, not out of guilt.
I do agree that black folks always have always have and always will be used by the Democratic party.
White people have no reason to feel guilty, and we know it.
Keep thinking that Melanie. You must be as blind as Nick. You obviously don’t pay attention to what your own people are saying and doing.
Melanie:
Nothing strikes more fear in white individuals than to accuse them of being a racist. It crushes the spirit of the person.
In my 56 years on this big blue marble and having been born and raised in the Deep South I have watched this scenario play out so many times and with each occurrence I have watched my white brothers and sisters freak out as they say and do things that they ordinarily wouldn’t to prove their accuser wrong. Some have gone as far as specifically adopt black children as proof that they love black people; others go out of their way to make black friends; and others decide to date blacks exclusively just to prove that they don’t have a racist bone in their body. It’s a painful thing to witness and I have watched this play out over and over again. Most times I discover this guilt just by having an open and honest discussion about race.
Both you and Nick may not practice white guilt and that’s a good thing, however, you absolutely cannot unequivocally state that white guilt does not exist.
The practice of black folks accusing white folks of racism to get what they want has been taught in the black community for decades but of course you would know that because your are not black. Why do you think black politicians and liberal white politicians use it as their national platform during every election cycle against Republicans? The Democratic Party would NEVER, EVER win another election if they didn’t use Racism as the national platform and they count on white guilt as their ace in the hole and for you and Nick not to know this is just sad and pathetic!
I’ve been accused of being a racist (on this site – more than a few times) and it doesn’t bother me AT ALL. Like Melanie said, quit acting like you know what it’s like to be WHITE.
Nick:
You may not be a racist, but you are definitely someone who doesn’t have a clue how life works.
It’s really hard to have a intellectual debate with people who lack common sense. Good luck living in the fantasy world that doesn’t exist.
Also – this isn’t the Deep South. We don’t give a **** about that crap in CA.
Black Trump Supporter – Being accused of being a racist doesn’t crush your spirit one bit. I couldn’t care less if someone accuses me of racism. White guilt is something a few whites “pretend” so they aren’t accused of racism. Like I said – it’s BS!
White women that date black men… it has nothing to do with white guilt. They can’t get a white guy.
Melanie:
Do you understand what you just wrote:
“White women that date black men… it has nothing to do with white guilt. They can’t get a white guy.”
Are you really this naive? Thank you for proving my point ?
White women who date black guys are white trash. White trash women have a choice of white trash men or black men from the ghetto. That’s hardly “white guilt.” They can’t do any better.
You hit the nail right on the head Bart. Those politicians you named and more prey on societies dependents for votes. They keep them down and promise the impossible for votes. It’s truly sad that a lot fall for it. I do think people are catching on to being a pawn for liberal demo politicians. This is why these same liars are inviting illegal aliens to replace those who have caught on to their scam. Who in their right mind supports drug dealers, murderers, child slave traffickers, robbers, and thieves with sanctuary status?
Because a white woman dates a black man that means she’s white trash?
I stand corrected Nick. Not only are you extremely ignorant, you are the definition of a racist. I really feel sorry for people like you. What a miserable, unsatisfying, existence you must live. Lonely and angry.
I really hope 2019 brings about a change of heart for you.
No – dating a black man doesn’t make her white trash. She was already white trash. The truth hurts.
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