December 18, 2021 - Merced – On December 17th, 2021, Traffic Officers Calcagno and de Jong responded to a minor injury crash, involving 3 cars on G Street, near 25th Street, Merced. It was determined that the responsible in the crash had fled the scene in their vehicle. During the crash though, the suspect’s front license plate was left at the scene. Officer de Jong followed a huge oil trail, from the damaged car but ultimately lost it, but noted it was headed in the direction of the registered owner’s house. While near the house, the responsible vehicle drove up to the driveway, the engine nearly seizing due to no oil. Officer de Jong contacted the driver, Russell Garcia 51 years old, and detected signs of intoxication. Field Sobriety tests were conducted, and Garcia was arrested for Felony DUI (crash with injuries) and Felony Hit and Run. He was booked at Merced County Jail.
Case Number: 21-76173
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Calcagno at (209) 388-7718 or by email at calcagnom@cityofmerced.org.
Other ways to contact us or report crime include:
For any emergency call or text 911
For non-emergency call 209-385-6912
Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725
Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html.
Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police.
Source: Merced Police Department
