Merced police: Transient killed man at care home

One person is in custody after a homicide reported early Tuesday at a Merced care home for the elderly.

Merced police arrested Evan James Lovett, a 21-year-old transient, as the suspect in the case. The name of the victim, a middle-aged man, hasn't been released by the Merced County Coroner's Office, pending notification of his family.

Police say details about the case are developing, and they haven't released the motive or cause of death.

The death happened at Accesscare Home of Merced at 128 E. Main St. Police learned about the killing after the suspect was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of DUI, according to Lt. Bimley West.

The events unfolded after dispatch received a call around 11:25 p.m. Monday. The caller said a person named "Evan" -- later identified as the suspect -- was at the Gateway Motel on West 16th Street. The caller said Lovett wasn't wearing a shirt and had blood on his pants and shoes.

In addition, Lovett claimed he'd just killed someone, and was asking for help, the caller told police.

Officers went to the Gateway Motel, hoping to find Lovett, but he'd already left, West said. Officers canvassed the area for witnesses and found a woman who'd also spoken with the suspect.

Lovett told her he was planning to leave Merced for Mexico. The witness also mentioned Lovett had blood on his pants and shoes, and was driving a a silver or gray Chrysler, West said.

Around midnight, police responded to a report of a crash in the 800 block of East Childs Avenue. When officers arrived, they spotted an abandoned Chrysler, which matched the description of the suspect's car.

After checking the area, police found Lovett hiding in bushes. "When making contact with him, they found that he in fact had blood on his pants and shoes," West said.

Lovett had no visible injuries and he was booked on suspicion of DUI.

Police checked the Chrysler's registration and learned the registered owner lived at the care home. Police determined the car belonged to the victim. "Officers arrived at this location to conduct a welfare check given the circumstances," West said. "When officers entered the residence, they found a male adult inside the bedroom deceased."

Detectives interviewed Lovett and he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police haven't said whether the victim was a caretaker or a client at the home. Six other people live at the residence, West said.

Two homes are located on the property where the crime happened. Patricia Carrow, who lives across the street from the scene, said the caretakers live in the front house on the property, where the victim was found.

Patients typically live in the rear home, she said.

According to Carrow, two caretakers lived in the house, where the body was found. A UC Merced student was also renting a room in the house, she added.

Carrow said she hadn't noticed anything odd lately, and was surprised to see the crime scene tape Tuesday morning.

William Tracy, who lives one house away from where the homicide happened, said he has a friend who is a patient living in the back house. He hadn't heard of any problems, and said the area's generally a safe place. "Normally, it's nice and quiet here," he said.

The homicide was the second reported in Merced this year, and the fifth in the county.

The crime happened just a block away from a homicide reported at a 260 E. Main St. home in 2009. In that case, David John Wickersham was found guilty of killing 59-year-old Roger David Burnett with a ball-peen hammer. Wickersham, 60, is serving a life sentence in prison.

Police ask anyone who knows Lovett to call Detective Chris Russell at (209) 385-4707 or the department's automated tip line at (209) 385-4725. Tips can be sent via anonymous text message by dialing "TIP411" (847411) and including the word "ComVIP" as the keyword in the text message.

Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209) 385-2482 or yamaro@mercedsunstar.com.