Man Brandishes Fake Firearm at Cost Less, is Involved in Carjacking, Kidnapping Report

After reporting to the scene of a possible carjacking and kidnapping on Tuesday morning, Turlock police were able to arrest a suspect from a separate incident.

Alexander Lombard, 21, was arrested at Cost Less Market and charged with brandishing a weapon or firearm and possession of prescription medication, said Turlock police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis.

Lombard allegedly brandished what appeared to be a firearm at an employee of Cost Less around 7:23 a.m.. The employee reported the incident to the Turlock Police Department, and officers were able to locate the suspect and arrest him.

The firearm was later found to be fake.

Just before that incident, at 7 a.m., the Turlock Police Department had responded to the Turlock Gospel Mission, located adjacent to Cost Less, on report of a possible carjacking and kidnapping.

Units arriving to the Turlock Gospel Mission were unable to find any sign of a carjacking or kidnapping.

While searching the area, units were called to Cost Less on the weapons offense. The employee gave officers a description of the suspect, and police were able to locate him, said Lewis.

Upon locating and arresting Lombard, police found that he and the occupants of his vehicle were the same people described in the carjacking report. Through further questioning, Turlock police found that there had not been a carjacking and no one had been taken against their will, Lewis said.