Modesto home invasion suspects possibly linked to similar incident in Union City

By Richard Ramos

A group of suspects arrested after a home invasion in Modesto may be linked to a similar incident west in Alameda County, officials said Thursday.

Modesto police said 22-year-old Benjamin Vazquez of Stockton and three minors between the ages of 14 and 17 entered a Park Faith Lane home on Saturday and held a family at gunpoint. At least two of the suspects were said to be armed.

Dash camera footage released by the police department shows officers pursuing the suspects, who were in a white Ford Taurus. A patrol car performs a pit maneuver, which causes the suspect vehicle to spin out and stop.

That is when three suspects exit the vehicle. Two suspects can be seen running from the car, while the third surrenders and is detained. Body camera footage that was also released shows an officer drawing his gun on the fourth suspect, who was still inside the vehicle, and telling him to put his hands up.

At this same time, the vehicle, which had not been put in park, slowly drifted into a nearby fence along the roadway.

All four suspects were eventually detained and at least one firearm was recovered in the area, police said.

It was not yet clear if the suspects took anything from the Park Faith Lane home. No injuries were reported.

Modesto police said the group is also suspected of trying to invade a home in Union City the day before on Tidewater Drive. Union City police said it is reviewing footage to confirm whether the four individuals are the same suspects they are searching for.

Union City police said a young girl was outside her home when she saw the suspects emerging from a white Ford Taurus and approaching her. The girl was able to make it back inside the home safely and contact police before the suspects could reach her.

After the family confronted them at the front door, the suspects fled in their vehicle. Police said at least two of the suspects were armed.a white Ford Taurus.