Suspect arrested in Modesto in connection with 15-year-old Castroville cold case.

A little more than 15 years ago, on Aug. 15, 2010, deputies were dispatched to the 11000 block of Jackson Street in Castroville in response to a report of a young man possibly suffering a heart attack.

Instead, when they arrived on scene, they discovered three victims with gunshot wounds. Two victims, both adults, were transported to local hospitals via ambulance. But the third victim, Salvatore Dentice, 18, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other two adult victims survived.

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Stephen Vasquez was arrested in Modesto in connection with the case. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office worked in collaboration with the Monterey County Cold Case Task Force, the Seaside Police Department, and received additional assistance from the Modesto Police Department to identify, locate and arrest the suspect. 

Vasquez is booked in the Monterey County Jail on charges of one count of homicide and two counts of attempted homicide. According to Cmdr. Scott Davis, the new lead generated was not based on DNA evidence, and investigators believe Vasquez is the sole suspect in the case.

The investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has additional information regarding this case, they are asked to contact Detective Richard Geng at (831) 253-6029 or Sgt. James Day at (831) 597-0065.

“This case wouldn't have been solved if it wasn't for all of these entities being involved in this particular case,” Davis says. “While even the arrest of a suspect and potentially a successful prosecution will never take away the pain of loss their family members may feel, at least maybe they can start on a better path to healing.”