2 Los Banos teens arrested in homicide case, police say

Two teenagers were jailed Friday in connection with a July death of a 20-year-old man, the Los Banos Police Department reported.

The male suspects, ages 15 and 17, were booked into the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Complex on suspicion of homicide, robbery, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang, police said in a news release.

They are suspects in the July 14 shooting death of Guillmer Diaz, who was killed in the 500 block of Ward Road, near a dirt lot, police said.

The 17-year-old suspect has been in custody since July 15 on charges unrelated to the homicide. The pair remain in custody without bail, police said.

“Los Banos Police Department Detectives worked tirelessly on this investigation, not leaving one stone unturned,” police Chief Gary Brizzee said in the statement. “Our thoughts are with the family of Guillmer Diaz; they have suffered a significant loss. I hope that the news of these arrests bring some closure to the family as they begin the healing process.”

Los Banos had no homicides from 1999 to 2007; since 2008, the city has averaged about one violent death each year, according to police records.

The city has reported two homicides in 2015.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 4:31 PM with the headline "2 Los Banos teens arrested in homicide case, police say."