UPDATE (June 29, 2018 -- 12:30 p.m.)
A criminal investigation is currently underway for an assault and car theft.
24-year-old Carlos Gazca is one of the men wanted in connection to the crime.
He reached out to 23ABC claiming his innocence.
“I’m being framed, wrongfully accused of a crime I didn’t commit in the town of Bakersfield,” said Gazca.
24-year-old Carlos Gazca reached out to 23ABC after his photo, released Bakersfield Police, made its rounds on social media, Thursday.
“Now I type my name up and I’m wanted. I’m a wanted man in Bakersfield,” said Gazca.
Bearing a large tattoo of the Jordan shoe logo on the right side of his face, Gazca Is wanted by Bakersfield Police for his alleged role in a car theft and assault that happened on June 23rd.
But According to Detectives - a victim identified Gazca as one of three men suspected of assaulting a person on the 600 block of Baker Street. Following the assault the men allegedly stole the victim’s car.
However Gazca, who has a lengthy criminal history, tells us he moved to Arkansas in May after serving three years from prison.
His past charges include robbery, battery, burglary and grand theft.
“I just got released in January. Since that day I have not committed a crime,” said Gazca.
We asked Gazca for any type of proof that would clear him of these charges. He sent us his Arkansas issued driver’s license and mail as proof that his home address is in Arkansas.
Gazca said he moved to the southern state to start a new life - one free of crime. He also said that he was at work IN ARKANSAS the day the alleged crime in Bakersfield happened.
“I had to get away from California in order to achieve what I wanted,” said Gazca. “I’m doing it now. Now I’m looking at this and it’s like man, it seems I cannot do good. Because now I’m getting wrongfully accused of something that’s going to get me sent to prison for life.”
However BPD says they believe they have the right suspect.
“If I was not innocent I would not be calling you,” said Gazca. “I would not be calling nobody. I would be hiding out somewhere. But I’m being honest. I’m reaching out my hand and I need someone to hold it and help me prove myself so I can live a normal life because right now I don’t even know what to do with my life.”
BPD has yet to confirm whether this is case of mistaken identity. Detectives said they have enough evidence to ask the District Attorney for an arrest warrant, which they’ll be doing Friday. Authorities also said that they have Gazca’s contact information and will be reaching out to him and conducting a follow-up investigation.
We will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.
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Bakersfield Police say Carlos Gazca and three other unidentified suspects assaulted a victim on the 600 block of Baker Street last Saturday.
According to BPD, Gazca and the three other suspects stole the victim's black 2013 Chevrolet Impala with California license #6YNB696.
He reached out to 23ABC and claims he is a victim of mistaken identity and was not in Bakersfield when the crime was committed. He says he is innocent.
BPD tells us that he is indeed a suspect and that they have probable cause to arrest him.
The department is seeking public assistance in locating Garza. He has an "Air Jordan" face tattoo.
The additional suspects were described as: 3 Hispanic Male Adults, approximately 20 years old.
There is probable cause to arrest Carlos Gazca for robbery, conspiracy, and auto theft.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Rob Robles at (661) 326-3953 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
