NEWMAN POLICE
The Newman Police Department handled 99 incidents during the week of Aug. 14–20, according to the agency’s weekly activity report. Officers responded to 58 calls for service and initiated 41 additional contacts.
Police recorded two Part I crimes — both assaults — and made six arrests during the week. No burglaries, larcenies, vehicle thefts, robberies, rapes or arsons were reported. The department also logged no DUI arrests.
Officers issued nine traffic citations and one criminal citation. No municipal or animal violations were recorded, and no parking citations were issued. Two vehicles were towed.
The week generated 12 total cases.
Arrests
A 36‑year‑old Newman man was arrested on Aug. 14 for domestic violence (felony).
A 23‑year‑old Newman man was arrested on Aug. 18 for kidnapping (felony), false imprisonment (felony) and battery on a spouse/ex‑spouse/date (misdemeanor).
Angel Dominguez, 39, of Modesto was arrested on Aug. 19 for a Stanislaus County warrant (misdemeanor).
Marina Benitez‑Rodriguez, 30, of Newman was arrested on Aug. 20 for driving with a license suspended for DUI (misdemeanor) and operating a vehicle without an interlock device (misdemeanor).
Brian Burgess, 43, of Turlock was arrested on Aug. 20 for a Stanislaus County warrant (misdemeanor).
GUSTINE POLICE
The Gustine Police Department responded to a mix of suspicious activity calls, disturbances and property crimes during the week of Aug. 14–20, according to the agency’s activity reports.
Officers checked on a suspicious circumstance in the 1200 block of Payne Avenue late on Aug. 18. The call, which came in at 11:30 p.m., was cleared as “checks ok” less than half an hour later. The next day, police investigated a suspicious vehicle at the Dollar General on Meredith Avenue; that call was completed without incident.
A felony bench warrant arrest was reported on Aug. 19 at Green Acres Mobile Park in the 1400 block of Meredith Avenue. The warrant involved failure to appear on a felony charge.
Police also took a petty theft report on Aug. 16 after items were stolen from a motor vehicle in the 200 block of 2nd Street. The case was classified as a misdemeanor.
Officers responded to a peace disturbance on Aug. 18 near 2nd Avenue and West Avenue. The call lasted nearly an hour and was cleared as “checks ok.”
A burglar alarm at Seven Star Smoke Shop on 5th Street was investigated on Aug. 15. Officers determined the alarm to be unfounded.
Arrests
Manuel Ureno, 54, was arrested at 9:01 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the area of Sylvia Road and Fairview Avenue for DUI alcohol and DUI alcohol/0.08 percent.
Rodrigo Luis Caballero‑Mondragon, 24, was arrested at 11:17 p.m. on Aug. 16 in Merced County for assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm on a peace officer/firefighter, obstructing or resisting an executive officer, driving with a license suspended for DUI and evading a peace officer.
Rui Aleandre Medeiros, 47, was arrested at 10:54 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the 1400 block of Meredith Avenue for two counts of bench warrant/failure to appear on a felony charge.
NEWMAN FIRE
Newman firefighters assist statewide wildfire response as local engine deployed to major incidents
The Newman Fire Department firefighters spent much of August supporting wildfire response efforts across California, with crews assisting on multiple major incidents and one of the city’s engines deployed through the Statewide Mutual Aid System.
From Aug. 4 to Aug. 17, Newman personnel worked alongside local and regional partners to protect homes, neighborhoods and critical land threatened by fast‑moving fires.
Crews assisted at the Gann Fire in Calaveras County, which burned about 10,339 acres before reaching full containment in mid‑August. Forty‑eight structures were damaged or destroyed, but all evacuation orders were lifted by Aug. 10 as conditions stabilized.
Newman firefighters also supported operations at the Timber Fire in Big Sur, where crews built and reinforced control lines around Partington Ridge and Highway 1. As of Aug. 17–18, the fire had burned between 5,189 and 5,239 acres and was 17% to 21% contained.
The department’s recently acquired OES Type III engine has remained active as well, spending nearly a week at the Talbot Fire before being reassigned to the MP18 Fire.
Officials said the department continues to stay busy as part of California’s mutual aid network, providing support wherever needed while maintaining local readiness.
Crews have since returned home safely and resumed normal operations.
July 31-Aug. 6
The Newman Fire Department responded to 16 calls for service from July 31st to August 6th. The calls included:
10 – Emergency Medical Services Calls
1 - Public Assist Call
2 – Fire Alarm Calls
1 – Vehicle Collision Call
1 – Trash Fire Call
1 – Potential Structure Fire Call
On July 31, 2026, at 8:43 a.m., the Newman Fire Station was dispatched for a vehicle collision near Sherman Parkway and Highway 33. On arrival, the fire crews found 3 vehicles involved, with minor injuries. Fire crews quickly secured the vehicles and reopened the roadway. The damage estimate was not available at the time of the incident.
On August 3, 2026, at 9:54 a.m., the Newman Fire Station was dispatched for a potential structure fire in the 600 block of Merced Street. On arrival, an occupant contacted the fire crew and stated that smoke was coming from the oven. The fire crew investigated and found that the food in the oven was burnt. No damage or injuries were reported.
On August 3, 2026, at 10:22 p.m., the Newman Fire Station was dispatched for a dumpster fire in the alley of the 1200 block of Main Street. On arrival, the fire department found a dumpster fire and quickly extinguished it. No damage or injuries were reported.
Aug. 7-13
The Newman Fire Department responded to 16 calls for service from August 7th -13th. The calls included:
11 – Emergency Medical Services Calls
1 - Public Assist Call
1 – Fire Alarm Call
1 – Working Structure Fire Call
1 – Potential Structure Fire Call
On August 12, 2026, at 3:12 p.m., the Newman Fire Station was dispatched for a potential structure fire in the 1200 block of Golden Eye Court. On arrival, an occupant contacted the fire crew and reported a burning smell. The fire crew investigated and found that the air conditioning unit was malfunctioning. The crew informed the homeowner to shut off the AC unit and contact a maintenance technician. No damages or injuries were reported.
On August 13, 2026, at 5:27 p.m., the Newman Fire Station was dispatched for a working structure fire in the 300 block of Summer Phlox Lane, Patterson, CA. The fire crews were canceled before arrival.
WEST STANISLAUS FIRE
West Stanislaus Fire District call totals (Aug. 10–16)
Medical aid: 7
Vegetation fire: 6
Vehicle accident: 3
Public assist: 2
Natural gas leak (outside): 1
Trash/dumpster fire: 1
Hazardous material incident: 1
Smoke check: 1
Total calls: 22
