ATWATER - The Atwater Police Department Detectives on January 2nd. with the assistance of the Merced County Sheriff’s STAR team and the Merced County District Attorney’s Office were able to find and arrest a suspect in the December 30th, 2020 homicide on Atwater Boulivad.
The suspect was arrested in the City of Merced at a local hotel on a warrant obtained with information obtained during the investigation. The arrested subject is identified as Matthew Shimkus (30) a resident of Atwater. During the arrest, officers located a firearm, narcotics, and stolen property.
Detectives are now investigating if these items are related to the homicide. Shimkus was booked into the Merced County Jail on a variety of charges that include homicide, narcotics procession, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property.
While this case was in progress, at approximately 10:00 am, Atwater PD officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Mendocino Court regarding a possible stolen boom truck reported to Dos Palos PD in the area. While responding, officers located the stolen boom truck traveling northbound on Schaffer Road near Mendocino Ct. A traffic stop was attempted, and the vehicle refused to stop.
A pursuit followed that led officers out of the City of Atwater into the adjacent county area of Winton. With the assistance of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the pursuit was finally terminated when the vehicle was damage on a canal bank in the area of Oakdale Road and Shaw. The suspect was taken into custody without injury after a short foot pursuit.
The arrested suspect was identified as Jonathan Rascon (31) a resident of Dos Palos. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the arrestee was unable to be booked and subsequently cited at the Police Department for felony evading, auto theft and possession of stolen property. Chief Salvador commends all law enforcement personnel and agencies involved on a job well done
These investigations are ongoing, and the Atwater Police Department needs the public’s help in gathering information related to these cases. If a member of the public has information on these cases, please contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask for Detectives Vierra and Aguilar.
