Suspect arrested in slayings of 5, including 3 children, in Modesto

A suspect was arrested Sunday in the slayings of three children and two adults in Modesto, authorities said.

Martin Martinez, 30, who had initially been named a person of interest in the case, was booked into the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of murder, said Heather Graves, a spokeswoman for the Modesto Police Department. He is being held without bail, according to the county records.

The Modesto Police Department received a call Saturday afternoon asking officers to make a security check at a single family residence in the 2600 block of Nob Hill Court. Upon entering the home, officers found the five bodies, Graves said.

The victims -- two women, and three children ages 6 months to 6 years -- were all from a single family, she said.

Martinez had a past relationship with one of the women and was the father of one of her children, Graves said.

The department is not releasing the victims’ names, how they were killed or the motive for the killings at this time.

Detectives ask that any witnesses who saw the 2000 red Lincoln Navigator that Martinez was believed to be driving when he fled to San Jose on Saturday call Stanislaus Crime Stoppers, (209) 521-4636.

Twitter: @geholland