Suspects arrested in California in Arizona
Justin Lum from FOX 10 reports.
PHOENIX – Law enforcement agencies in Arizona are arranging for five refugees wanted in California to be brought to justice.
All five refugees are from California’s Central Valley, and most of them are housed in the same hut. One of the suspects is accused of killing a 19-year-old woman.
“Her smile, her optimistic attitude, no matter how she was feeling inside,” said Tracey Pimentel. “She was so amazing.”
19-year-old Hannah Pimentel’s mother, Tracey, misses her every day. Their daughter was killed on May 12 in Fresno, California.
That afternoon, police say Marc Rodriguez, a known gang member with a violent history, was away from officers in his car before colliding with Pimentel, who was driving downtown.
Rodriguez never stopped and the authorities went looking for him for three weeks.
“A call from your boyfriend woke me up and he called on the phone: ‘You caught him! You caught him'” said Pimentel.
Meanwhile, Phoenix police arrested the 31-year-old suspect on May 28 at the home of someone who knew Rodriguez.
On the same day, Glendale police arrested Jorge Barron, 20, and Manuel Leon, 21, the last two of the six inmates who escaped from Merced County Jail in January.
The US marshals supported both the Phoenix and Glendale police.
On May 30, Phoenix police arrested Eddie Cordero, 25, in connection with a double homicide in a Fresno county bar. Anthony Guzman, 25, was also arrested in town for an accessory to murder.
Five refugees from California’s Central Valley region, all detained within three days.
Sergeant Jimmy Chavez of the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety says he’s not sure there’s a clear reason suspects are running into the desert. But two major interstate systems, I-40 and I-10, are factors.
“I think since we are positioned near California we are, if you will, a target for people who are fleeing,” said Chavez.
The wait is almost over for Hannah Pimentel’s family as their accused murderer will soon be extradited back to California.
“I’m just glad they caught him and that justice is taking its course,” said her mother.
The US marshals supported both the Phoenix and Glendale police.
The Chief Deputy Marshal for Arizona says the California-Arizona connection has always been strong for refugees.
Marc Rodriguez, Jorge Barron, Manuel Leon, Eddie Cordero, Anthony Guzman
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