Fifth suspect arrested in Planada gunbattle

A fifth suspect has been jailed in connection with a suspected gang shootout among three vehicles in Planada earlier this week.

Marco A. Palomares, 20, was arrested late Wednesday after he was released from a regional hospital where he was treated for numerous gunshot wounds in connection with the Oct. 18 gunfight between rival street gangs, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said.

Palomares was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal street-gang participation. He remained in custody Friday on $100,000 bail, according to booking records.

Palomares and Roberto Manzo, 20, were shot multiple times during the incident, which investigators believe started when they opened fire at rival gang members who were seated in a vehicle on Division Street in Planada.

Detective Sgt. Chuck Hale said Manzo and Palomares were driving a black Honda when they shot at a white Buick sedan. Someone in the Buick returned fire and chased after the Honda. Deputies believe Roberto Saldana was driving the Buick.

A third vehicle, allegedly driven by Saldana’s brother, Jose, joined the chase, which rolled through several streets in Planada while the shooting continued continuously and went on to Highway 140 for about 12 miles. The Honda eventually stopped in an orchard near North Arboleda Drive.

The Saldana brothers were arrested that same day along with Roberto Saldana’s girlfriend, Fernanda Ruby Rodriguez. They were not injured in the incident.

Prosecutors, however, declined to file charges against Rodriguez, saying her level of participation in the incident was “unclear.”

The Merced County District Attorney’s Office plans to file charges against all four defendants of attempted murder, assault with a firearm and shooting at an occupied vehicle, along with several allegations for street-gang participation and premeditation. The case against the Saldana brothers will be re-filed to combine the incident into one file, authorities said.

Rob Carroll, chief deputy district attorney, said prosecutors were still reviewing the case Friday, but expected charges filed as early as Monday.

Letty Andrade, the Saldanas’ oldest sister, said she does not believe her brothers ever fired a shot during the incident.

“It happened right in front of my house; my daughter, she’s 7, she was outside,” Andrade told the Sun-Star. “They didn’t fire back at all because they didn’t have anything to fire back with. My brothers didn’t do it.”

Andrade could not explain how the other two men managed to be injured by gunfire, but insisted Roberto and Jose Saldana were innocent.

All four suspects remained in custody Friday at the Merced County Jail.

This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Fifth suspect arrested in Planada gunbattle."