Izrael Villegas, an 18-year-old resident of Turlock, California, was tragically found dead from a single gunshot wound on May 20, 2020. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the 4300 block of Cherry Blossom Lane. The Turlock Police Department responded to the scene and initiated an investigation. Detectives determined that the motive behind the shooting was drug-related.
This revelation led to a thorough investigation that identified three suspects: Robert Omar Branche, Jose Carmona, and Owen Ramos, all from Modesto, California.
Robert Omar Branche, 22, was already in custody at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on an unrelated charge when he was interviewed by detectives. Following the interview, Branche was rebooked on charges of murder and robbery. Jose Carmona, 30, was located and arrested in Oakdale on January 6, 2021. He was also booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of murder and robbery. Owen Ramos, 23, voluntarily went to the Turlock Police Department on March 10, 2021, where he was subsequently arrested and booked on robbery charges.
The investigation into Izrael Villegas's death remains ongoing, with the Turlock Police Department continuing to seek information from the public. Detectives have encouraged anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in solving such cases. The arrests of Branche, Carmona, and Ramos mark significant progress in the case, but the authorities are still piecing together the full circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
