Merced Sun-Star
An 18-year-old Delhi man was arrested Friday for allegedly shooting up a crowded bar and trying to run over a man last week.
Dennis Rios, believed to be a gang member, was arrested by sheriff's deputies in his home in the 16000 block of Delhi Avenue after they decided that he was a suspect in two cases they were working, department spokesman Tom MacKenzie said.
He's being held in Merced County Jail in lieu of $225,000. He's suspected of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of stolen property and child endangerment.
Just after midnight on Sept. 20, detectives believe Rios tried to shoot a man outside Cachi's Pub in Delhi with whom he had fought earlier in the night.
The 19-year-old victim dove behind a car and was nicked by a bullet. Rios then began shooting inside the bar, MacKenzie said. No one else was injured.
Six days later, Rio allegedly tried to run over a another man on Hillside Drive in Delhi.
The victim jumped behind a pile of wood. The car's tires rolled over the his chest, though he only received minor injuries because most of the weight was on the woodpile, MacKenzie said.
Rios allegedly then drove off.
During a search of Rios' home, detectives found evidence they said connected him to the hit-and-run and a loaded handgun, stolen out of Oregon. It was wrapped in cloth and stored in a plastic tub, which children in the area could reach, authorities said.
-- Scott Jason
