On September 22nd, 2023, a series of crimes occurred in Stanislaus County, California, that ultimately led to a deputy shooting a suspect. The incident began with a home burglary in the 3500 block of West Keyes Road in Keyes, where a handgun was stolen. Shortly after, at 5:31 p.m., a man in the 5100 block of Muncy Road in Modesto reported being carjacked at gunpoint by a male adult identified as 43-year-old Jason Dingler. Dingler stole the man’s pickup truck and fled the scene.
Just six minutes later, at 5:37 p.m., an employee of the One Stop Market in Grayson reported a male with a gun stealing from the store. The description of the suspect matched that of Dingler from the earlier carjacking. The responding officers identified Dingler as the suspect in both incidents. A California Highway Patrol officer spotted the stolen truck traveling south on Highway 33 at 5:44 p.m. Multiple deputies arrived to assist with stopping the vehicle, but Dingler refused to pull over and the pursuit began.
During the pursuit, Dingler reached speeds of up to 95 MPH as he fled from the deputies on Highway 33. At 5:59 p.m., Dingler sideswiped another car, causing his truck to crash at the edge of an orchard. He then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the orchard while shooting at the pursuing deputies multiple times. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Air101, provided updates to the deputies on the ground as Dingler moved through the orchard.
At 6:26 p.m., Dingler approached the deputies while still armed with a gun. Two deputies discharged their firearms at least once each, striking Dingler with at least one bullet and causing him to fall to the ground. Despite being wounded, Dingler remained uncooperative and continued to have a gun within his reach. It was only when additional safety equipment and armored vehicles arrived at the scene that the deputies were able to approach Dingler and take him into custody at 6:47 p.m. They immediately began providing him medical treatment before he was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance. Dingler survived his gunshot wound(s) and is currently in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
The firearm used by Dingler to shoot at the deputies was recovered from the orchard. It was later determined to be the same handgun stolen in the earlier burglary and believed to have been used in the carjacking and robbery at the market. The Major Crimes Unit, Stanislaus County District Attorney Office, and administrative investigators all responded to the scene to conduct both criminal and administrative investigations into the incident.
Fortunately, no deputies or other assisting law enforcement personnel were injured during the course of the events. However, the driver of the sideswiped vehicle did complain of pain resulting from the accident, although they declined immediate medical treatment.
In relation to each incident, Dingler, the 43-year-old suspect, was arrested on a variety of charges including residential burglary, carjacking, kidnapping, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, brandishing a firearm, evading a peace officer, hit and run, possession of a stolen vehicle, attempted murder, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The incident gained public attention, and a video capturing the events was released on social media platforms. The video provides a visual representation of the pursuit, the suspect’s actions in the orchard, and the subsequent shooting by the deputies.
It is essential for both criminal and administrative investigations to be conducted simultaneously in cases involving officer-involved shootings, ensuring a thorough examination of the events and the actions of the law enforcement personnel involved. This comprehensive approach helps to maintain transparency and accountability in such incidents.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily while protecting the public. It also highlights the importance of cooperation between different law enforcement agencies in apprehending dangerous individuals and resolving complex criminal cases. The successful resolution of this crime spree and the arrest of the suspect demonstrate the dedication and professionalism of the officers involved in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.
Law enforcement agencies continue to prioritize the safety and security of their communities, and incidents like these emphasize the ongoing need for public support and engagement. Through the joint efforts of law enforcement and the community, together, safer neighborhoods can be achieved.
