Murder Suspect Arrested NR11296pv

Los Angeles:  On June 28, 2011, LAPD detectives arrested 31-year-old Geovanni Cifuentes for the shooting death of David Banuelos.

Banuelos was shot to death on May 28, 2011, outside a place of business located in the 4500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard after a verbal dispute that took place inside the club.

Detectives conducted an extensive investigation and followed several leads that ultimately lead to the identity of Cifuentes as the suspect.  While conducting a surveillance of Cifuentes’ work location, they saw Cifuentes enter a silver Cadillac and drive away.  Uniformed patrol officers assigned to Foothill Division attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Cifuentes failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued.  Cifuentes was ultimately stopped and taken into custody without incident at Colfax Avenue and Riverside Drive where the pursuit ended.

After an extensive interview, detectives were convinced that Cifuentes was the man responsible for  killing Banuelos.  He was booked for murder and is being held on $1 million bail at the LAPD Metropolitan Jail.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Sergio Carrero-Ortiz, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1258.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.