Three suspects Oakdale Police are identifying as Norteno gang members were arrested for attempting to carjack a Ford Windstar minivan in the Bridle Ridge subdivision late Monday night, Dec. 10.

Oakdale Police Detective Brian Shimmel said police were called to the area of Jonabel Way at 10:50 p.m. regarding suspicious persons looking into unoccupied vehicles. Officers contacted a pair of subjects but could not determine if they were the ones that had been looking into the cars.

Shortly after 11 p.m. a female resident reported that she was sitting in her Ford Windstar on Churchill Downs Circle when she was approached by a Hispanic male who tried to enter the vehicle. Two other Hispanic males were with the suspect that Shimmel described as “look-outs.”

The driver turned on the vehicle’s lights and the male suspect simulated drawing a gun from his waistband. The woman started the car and drove off and the three subjects fled the area.

Police received a call from an anonymous person who said he saw three suspicious persons hiding from patrol cars in the area of Oak Valley Park.

When police officers checked the park they located the subjects. No weapon was found.

Officers conducted an in-field line up of the individuals and the woman was able to positively identify the subjects as the ones who approached her vehicle and simulated the gun. Officers arrested the three individuals, two adults and a juvenile, for attempted carjacking, conspiracy, and a gang enhancement for participation of being in a street gang.

“We have previous contacts on them for gang activity,” said Shimmel. “We’re building background information for the case now.”

Arrested were: Benjamin Martinez, 20, of Oakdale; Martin Gonzalez, 18, of Oakdale; and a 13-year-old juvenile. The adults were being held at Stanislaus County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.