News & Columns > G.T. Houts > Murder Suspect Faces Three Felony Counts (Update)

Murder Suspect Faces Three Felony Counts (Update)

Accused of Killing Co-worker Near Lytle Creek

By G.T. Houts
Thursday, August 21, 2008

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Update – Thursday 10:05 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA – The San Bernardino County District Attorney has filed three felony counts against murder suspect Fidel Beltran, 27, for the August 13 shooting of co-worker Baraquel Alonzo Cruz, 54, whose body was found off a US Forest Service Road in the Lytle Creek area.

Beltran, who is expected to be arraigned today in the Fontana District Superior Court, is charged with murder, criminal threats and dissuading a witness by force or threat.

The third count—dissuading a witness—involved Jose Jesus Hernandez and a third unidentified person.

Original Story - Wednesday 12:08 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA – A 27-year-old Perris resident is in custody today on murder charges and is being held without bail at the Central Detention Center for the murder of a co-worker. The body of Baraquel Alonzo Cruz, 54, was found August 13 off a US Forest Service Road in the Lytle Creek area.

Fidel Beltran was arrested at 5 p.m. yesterday and booked at 8:09 p.m. on the first-degree murder charge after investigators developed information that Cruz' co-worker may have known more about the murder.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Headquarters (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"Through the investigation, homicide detectives arrested Beltran because they believe he is responsible for Cruz' death," Sheriff's Department spokesperson Jodi Miller told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net from her office at the San Bernardino headquarters building.

While the name of the business where Cruz and Beltran worked was not immediately available, booking reports show Beltran was reportedly a foreman or supervisor.

Detectives revealed Cruz was shot one time in the head.

Homicide detectives would still like to talk with the reporting party who placed a 911 call from a convenience store off Interstate 15 at Sierra Way.

A media advisory issued by the Sheriff's Department reports the man can be seen on surveillance cameras coming into the parking lot at the AM/PM and using the pay phone. Detectives are enhancing the video to see the person's face and vehicle better.

The reporting party is urged to contract Detective Dave Burgess or Sergeant Frank Bell at (909) 387-3589.

See Body Found Near Lytle Creek for original story.