California police arrest suspect accused of deputy 'execution'

MODESTO, Calif., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- California authorities said they arrested a man accused of killing a Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy in what the sheriff described as "an execution."

David Macado Jr., 36, was arrested after allegedly committing a series of additional crimes, including robbing a liquor store. He is accused of killing 20-year police department veteran Dennis Wallace, 53, by shooting him twice in the head on Sunday.

"We know for a fact that the gun used in this crime was in direct contact with his head when the trigger was pulled -- twice," Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said during a press conference. "This was an execution."

While on the run, Machado carjacked one motorist, traveled at least 150 miles, robbed a liquor store and tried to snatch a purse, police said.

The woman whose purse Machado attempted to steal in the city of Lindsay in Tulare County fought back and called police, who chased Machado on foot and arrested him.

"There's still much work to be done," Christianson said. "We will be bringing Mr. Machado back here to Stanislaus County to stand trial and we will seek justice, and justice will be done in this case."

Wallace was found dead by a deputy who arrived to provide backup after he reported a suspicious vehicle.

"[Machado] is facing murder charges for killing a peace officer. This is a capital offense ... I will do anything in my power to make sure he ends up on death row," Christianson said. "The killing of deputy Dennis Wallace has had a tremendous negative effect on all of the organization ... We've lost someone who is special to us."

Stanislaus County is located in the Central Valley of California.