Sheriff's Deputy Shot, Killed Near Modesto; Suspect Arrested

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HUGHSON, Calif. (AP) -- Officials say a Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputy was killed while responding to a call about a suspicious car and person.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department says Deputy Dennis Wallace was shot and killed Sunday outside the city of Hughson.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson says the suspect was arrested in the city of Lindsay after he tried to steal the purse of a woman at a convenience store.

Christianson says the woman fought back against 36-year-old David Machado, who ran from the scene, and called Lindsay police. Officers chased after Machado and took him into custody without incident.

He says officers in Lindsay, 150 miles south of Modesto, didn't initially recognize Machado as the suspect in the killing of Stanislaus County Deputy Dennis Wallace, a 20-year veteran.

Christianson says that once he was in custody, officer identified Machado through tattoos and a photograph and immediately contacted the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.

He says Stanislaus County investigators are on their way to Tulare County to try and get a statement from Machado.