Police Release Photo Of Suspect In Murder Of Modesto Restaurant Owner

MODESTO (CBS13) – Modesto police have released the mug shot of the suspect in the murder a Modesto restaurant owner.

Police have released the photo 28-year-old Zhi Jian Mei in the death of China Gourmet restaurant owner 47-year-old Wing Ming Chan who was found dead in his restaurant last week.

Chan's relatives called 911 around 3:00 Thursday morning after finding Chan's body inside the restaurant located at Oakdale and East Orangeburg Avenue.

Police say Chan was the victim of a brutal assault.  After interviewing several witnesses, police identified Mei as a suspect.
 
Investigators believe Chan was inside his closed restaurant when Mei arrived around 9:00 pm and an argument quickly ensued.  Police say Mei got a "cleaver" type knife from the kitchen and used it to violently assaulted Chan.
 
When family members realized Chan had not returned home from work, they went to the restaurant, and they discovered Chan's lifeless body.