Murder Suspect Arrested Near US-Mexico Border

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers have arrested a murder suspect at the San Ysidro border crossing in Southern California on September 27, 2009.  A second suspect is still at large, investigators said.

Salvador Flores, 25, of Canago Park was arrested at 8 p.m., near the Mexican border and was picked up by LAPD Devonshire Area detectives at 9:30 p.m.  He was booked at Devonshire Jail and currently on immigration hold.  Police are searching for an outstanding suspect who has been identified as Juan Luis Sanchez Ramirez.

The shooting happened on September 26, 2009, at around 2:30 a.m.  The victims Isidoro Meza, 28, and Guillermo Mendoza, 21, were shot in the upper body at an apartment complex in the 20900 block of Gresham Street.  Both victims died at the scene. Witnesses said the victims were involved in a heated argument in the courtyard area with Flores and Ramirez when a handgun was pulled out and shots were fired at them.  Investigators are unsure if one or both of the suspects fired at the victims. The suspect escaped in a stolen 1991 Mazda MX6, California license plate 6DWE375.

Police consider Sanchez armed and dangerous.  It is unclear what prompted the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call LAPD Devonshire Area homicide detectives at 818-832-0554/0556.  During off-hours, call may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.