On February 28, 2018 at approximately 5:28 a.m. Los Banos Police Dispatch received a call of a burglary in progress at an occupied apartment in the hundred block of West I Street. Dispatchers relayed to responding Officers that they had an open phone line at the apartment. The suspect kicked in the front door, entered the residence, and barricaded the door by pushing a couch against it in an attempt to prevent anyone from leaving or coming in.

The suspect, who was later identified as Kendrick Charles Grace, 36 of Los Banos took cellular phones and money from the occupants in the apartment and fled out a back window as officers arrived. The officers saw Grace jump from a second story window near the rear of the apartment. Grace fled on foot and jumped into the backyard of a residence in the 800 block of Nevada Avenue.

Grace entered a second home by kicking open the door and during the crime, he assaulted at least one person in the home. The suspect stripped down and changed his clothing, putting on cloths from the second residence he entered. While in the home Grace threatened to kill anyone who opened the door for police.

Sergeant Chet Stygar and Officer Omar Mondragon were able to enter the residence and take Grace into custody after a brief struggle.

“As expected all of the victims were visibly and emotionally shaken after going through this experience. We are thankful no one was seriously injured in what could have been a very bad situation. We are vigorously pursuing charges against Grace with the help of the Merced County District Attorney’s Office” – Commander Jason Hedden

Grace is currently on State Parole and is being held without bail. Grace remains in custody at the Merced County Sheriff’s John Latorraca Correctional Center and is charged with multiple felonies including, two counts of burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment, vandalism, and resisting arrest.