Investigators book 4 additional suspects in Watsonville double murder

UPDATE: A Watsonville murder case that left two people dead, including a 4-year-old girl, is moving forward to as police make more arrests. On Monday, five people are behind bars because of information from the public and cooperation from witnesses. The Watsonville Police Department said after a lengthy investigation and one initial arrest, it was able to get arrest warrants for seven more suspects.

DeeDee Vargas, chairperson for the Watsonville public safety tax oversight committee,said shechecks in with 4-year-old Jaelyn Zavala’s grandfather regularly. He owns the Fish House Bar and Grill, where Zavala was killed.

“He’s a single dad and so he’s got so many more pressures than most understand and this is a very very challenging and trying time,” Vargas said.

In October, investigators said a stray bullet killed Zavala during a planned attack on a rival gang member. Vargas said the community stepped up during an unimaginably difficult time.

“Something like this happening, it hits home on so many levels,” Vargas said.

Vargas is hoping that momentum will continue. She said proof of that effort came in June, when Watsonville voters passed a half-cent sales tax, dedicated to police, fire and emergency services.

“You know it’s just a small few that always ruin it for the majority. The majority of that community, the community I live in, is just a phenomenal group of people,” Vargas said.

The night of the shooting, police said Michael Escobar was arrested outside the restaurant, reportedly wearing military style body armor and armed with a handgun.

On Monday, Watsonville Police arrested suspects Jimmy Espinoza, Juan Cruz and Roberto Ramirez, and re-arrested Gilberto Ponciano who was already in custody. Now they’re looking for three more, Amado Hernandez, Brandon Ruiz-Martinez and Marcos Robles.

Police believe Robles was on-scene with Escobar during the shooting. The others are considered co-conspirators by investigators, saying there was a plan to kill the intended target 31-year-old Ramon Rendon. Now Vargas said Zavala’s family is just trying to cope with an innocent life taken too soon.

“Kind of have to in his mind, you know you’ve gotta move forward,” Vargas said.

Police want to remind you, anyone can share information anonymously on the crime tip line at 831-768-3544.

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The investigation into to the October double homicide that killed 4 year old Jaelyn Zavala by a stray bullet has take a positive turn. Police and the Santa Cruz County District Attorneys office have been continually working on this investigation by following up on several leads, interviewing witnesses, canvassing multiple crime scenes, reviewing hours of surveillance footage and pouring through hundreds of pages of police reports. And now detectives have booked 5 suspects they believe either killed or conspired to kill Ramon Rendon on that October night.

Police say 31 year old Michael Escobar was accompanied by a second shooter, 22 year old Marcos Robles, during the homicides. Investigators have determined that Escobar and Robles didn’t act alone.

Escobar and Robles are suspected of having conspired with other members of a local street gang from Watsonville. This crime appears to be a planned attack to kill Rendon, he was shot and killed during the incident at the Fish House restaurant and bar, which also killed 4 year old Zavala.

This high profile case has shocked the community and after a lengthy investigation, police detectives obtained seven arrest warrants for murder on the suspected co-conspirators in this case.

Take into custody on Monday for conspiracy to commit murder are 33 year old Jimmy Fernando Espinoza of Salinas; 21 year old Juan Carlos Cruz of Watsonville; and 22 year old Roberto Cancino Ramirez. Gilberto Ponciano was already in custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail based on other charges that arose during this investigation and was re-booked for murder. Escobar has been in jail since October.

The manhunt continues for three suspects, 20 year old Amado Marshall Hernandez, 20 year old Brandon Ruiz-Martinez and 22 year old Marcos Robles.

All of the suspects are validated gang members.

Watsonville police are asking anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the investigations division at 768-3389 or leave a message on the crime tip line at 768-3544.