Two men plead not guilty in Merced police-shooting case

Two men charged with shooting a Merced police officer last month pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges.

Jaime M. Caudillo, 30, of Los Banos is accused of shooting Officer Ryan Rasmussen on Feb. 28 during a traffic stop in the 2100 block of H Street in Merced. Steven P. Rincon, 24, of Fresno is accused of driving the vehicle the night of the incident.

Both defendants entered their pleas Monday morning before Judge Mark V. Bacciarini in Merced Superior Court.

Police believe Caudillo opened fire during the traffic stop, striking Rasmussen at least twice. Two officers, Brian Rinder and Joseph Opinski, returned fire, striking Caudillo at least once.

Rinder and Opinski are expected to return to full duty this week, while Rasmussen remains out on medical leave, authorities have said.

Officers said Rincon then drove away, crashing the vehicle in an alley a short distance from the scene. Rincon ran and remained on the loose for nearly 10 hours before he was captured, police said.

Both defendants are due back in court April 20 for further proceedings. They remained in custody Monday at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility.

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Two men plead not guilty in Merced police-shooting case."