Chowchilla man arrested in Atwater for alleged murder conspiracy, police say
A Chowchilla man was arrested this week after he allegedly tried to travel to Atwater to kill his new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, according to Atwater Police Department.
Ramon Maldonado, 29, was taken into custody after Atwater police say they spotted him near the ex-boyfriend’s house — and not long after the suspect had an argument with the man, according to a department news release.
Atwater police said officers responded to a report of a threat at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Kim Avenue.
The man who was allegedly targeted and his ex-girlfriend reportedly got into an argument on the phone over care of the child they shared, Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador said.
During the conversation Maldonado, the woman’s new boyfriend, allegedly made several threats toward the former boyfriend and his family.
Plus, Maldonado allegedly tried to intimidate the man from reporting the threat. Police said he did so by making further threats on the Apple FaceTime messaging app, sending photos of his weapons.
After the argument, Maldonado was believed to be traveling from Chowchilla to Atwater. Officers said they conducted surveillance on the ex-boyfriend’s Atwater home.
Officers noticed while placing Maldonado under arrest he was wearing an ankle monitor he received after posting bail in connection to an aggravated kidnapping case in Stanislaus County, the release states.
Maldonado was in possession of latex gloves when he was arrested, plus a loaded .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol was found hidden under the driver’s seat of his girlfriend’s car, police say.
After the arrest, officers say they seized an unregistered assault rifle at a Chowchilla home in connection with the alleged murder conspiracy.
Maldonado was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, criminal threats, dissuading a witness, possession of a stolen gun, driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license, possessing a gun and ammunition while being prohibited and committing a crime while on bail, according to jail records.
He’s being held in lieu of $336,080 bail.
The girlfriend hasn’t been arrested in connection with the threat as of Thursday morning, Salvador said.
“We had enough evidence to think the victim was definitely in danger,” Salvador said. “So his timely call to law enforcement, and quick work by the officers, was really the key to avoid this from becoming a much less happy ending.”
Anyone with information on this case is being asked to contact Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384. Tips are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous.