The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department is investigating a carjacking in rural Patterson after an unidentified man was found shot next to a cornfield east of Patterson and his SUV was stolen Monday afternoon, Aug. 20. The sheriff's department has identified the victim as 46 year-old John Tenbrink of Patterson.

Deputies responded to a report at 1:05 p.m. of a person with a gunshot wound who was found on the 2600 block of Orange Avenue -- a few hundred yards west of Ash Avenue.

Tenbrink was shot at least once in the chest and was transported by ambulance to the nearby Las Palmas Avenue Fishing Access, where he was airlifted to an area hospital, according to deputies and witnesses. The victim notified deputies that his 2007 green Toyota SUV, which has a California license plate number of 6AND659, had been stolen. The condition of the victim was not available as of press time.

Authorities are asking anyone who sees the stolen SUV to call 911, as the driver is suspected of being armed and dangerous, Stanislaus Sheriff Spokesman Anthony Bejaran said.

"If we can find the vehicle, we can find our suspect," he said.

It is still not clear what events led up to the shooting or why the victim was found near the cornfield, Bejaran said. Investigators at the scene spent more than an hour searching the cornfield for evidence.

The California Highway Patrol helped barricade Orange Avenue at Elm Avenue about 15 minutes after the incident, and sheriff's vehicles still had a portion of Orange Avenue west of Ash Avenue blocked as of 3 p.m.

Ash Avenue resident Annie Haney, who stumbled upon the accident scene while trying to drive to Fig Avenue to pick up her grandson, said she regularly travels along Orange Avenue and was shocked to hear what had transpired there.

"It hits a little too close to home for me," she said.

Anyone with information about the investigation can contact the sheriff's department at 525-7114. Callers can also leave anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers, 521-4636. Tipsters also can email tips at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typicing "Tip"704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.

• Jonathan Partridge can be reached at 892-6187 or jonathan@pattersonirrigator.com.