Suspect in Merced County killing arrested in Livingston, deputies say
A 34-year old homicide suspect was found and arrested Friday in Livingston, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
Jorge Luis Martinez was identified as a person of interest in the suspicious death of Tammy Balloue on Aug. 31 in Winton. Deputies responded to the 7900 block of Olive Avenue and found the body of the 41-year old victim.
After processing the scene and evaluating evidence, investigators were able to obtain a homicide warrant for Martinez’s arrest.
Martinez, found Friday in the 700 block of Fairlane Drive in Livingston, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and disregarding safety/evading an officer. Martinez was booked into the Merced County Jail, with bail set at $1,050,000, according to jail records.
Balloue’s missing blue 2005 Lexus ES300 with license plate 8EPN976 was recovered by investigators in Fresno.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please call the Merced County Sheriff’s Office investigation bureau at 209-385-7472.
This story was originally published September 5, 2020 at 1:18 PM.
