Tracy man arrested for attempted murder of CHP officer

SACRAMENTO — A Tracy man is facing several felony charges stemming from a series of rock throwing incidents on roadways in San Joaquin County that occurred in the area of Tracy Boulevard north of Interstate 205 over the past several weeks.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested 32-year-old Kristopher Stephen Fernandes on April 10 on suspicion of eight counts of attempted murder, seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer. Additional charges may follow, pending completion of the investigation, the CHP said.

Fernandes was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail where he is being held without bail.

Prior to the arrest, CHP investigators were following up on a series of rock-throwing incidents that occurred in the area, including one in the early morning hours of April 9, which resulted in the crash and serious injury of two CHP officers responding to a call of rocks being thrown at moving vehicles, the CHP said.

While a CHP investigator was driving through the surveillance area, a rock thrown from a moving vehicle struck their windshield. The investigator was able to follow the vehicle and until marked patrol units from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and CHP could get into position and conduct the stop.

Fernandes was taken into custody without incident. Several rocks were located within the passenger compartment of the suspect vehicle, like the one thrown through the investigator’s window moments prior, the CHP said.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call the Tracy Area CHP office at 209-8358920.