Watsonville armed robber and murder suspects ID’d
UPDATE 7/2/18 2:46 p.m.: Watsonville Police believe the fatal shooting Saturday night near Lawrence Avenue and South Green Valley Road is likely the result of an armed robbery.
The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. When officers responded, one of the suspected robbers was found shot in front of a house, and he died on the scene. WPD told KION the suspect/victim was a 32-year-old Watsonville man.
“My family and I were having dinner and we heard some gunshots. And I sent my family to the farthest room in the building,” said one man who witnessed the incident and wanted to remain anonymous for safety reasons. “I went to check and see what was going on and there was a couple suspects fleeing the scene, one man was on the ground.”
Three people have been arrested, 25-year-old Eli Gutierrez of Watsonville, 46-year-old Elias Gutierrez of Watsonville, and 49-year-old Louis Ledesma of Watsonville.
A large quantity of illegal marijuana was found in the house. Police also found multiple shell casings, money in the street and two hand guns.
According to Sgt. Mish, Elias and Eli Gutierrez were the operators of a non-permitted dispensary inside the home.
“It appears there was some type of dispensary which is un-permitted that was operating out of the house here,” said Sgt. Mish Radich.
WPD said the second armed robbery suspect, Ledesma tried to run and was chased through a field behind Rolling Hills Middle School. He was eventually taken down by a taser and a K9 unit.
At some point during that chase, Ledesma allegedly pointed a gun at an officer, but the officer was close enough to disarm him.
“Oh, I feel scared because we live here for long time and lately, things are going like that. So I’m thinking moving from this area,” said one woman, who wanted to remain off camera.
The scene was processed by the Department of Justice and WPD crime scene investigators.
All of the arrestees were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.
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A man was shot and killed in Watsonville, Saturday night. Watsonville Police tell KION this is a homicide investigation.
Police responded at 7:50 p.m. to Lawrence Avenue and South Green Valley Road, where they found a man in the driveway of a home. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say multiple shots were fired.
This investigation is still ongoing. We will have more information as it becomes available.
