KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Two More Arrests Made In North Valley Murder Case
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The Merced County Sheriff's Department announced two new arrests in a North Valley murder case on Friday.
The arrests were made in connection with the murder of Rosa Avina back on October 24th. Avina was kidnapped, tied, and forced into the trunk of a vehicle, before being taken to Ballico and burned alive. Avina later died from her injuries.
On Thursday, authorities arrested 36-year-old Cirilo Alberto and 18-year-old Luis Vazquez of Delhi in connection with the murder.
Sheriff's Deputies say that during the time of the arrests, approximately fifty-five pounds of Marijuana and a shot gun was seized. Deputies say that Luis Vasquez and Cirilo Alberto are both involved in a mid level Drug Trafficking Organization that was responsible for Avina's death.
According to authorities Vasquez is believed to have participated in the planned mock home invasion robbery of Avina's Turlock home, in which she was kidnapped, tied, and forced into the trunk of a vehicle. Vazquez is now the sixth suspect arrested this week for the murder of Avina. Vazquez is being charged with murder, kidnapping, torture, mayhem and conspiracy, and is being held in the Merced County Jail.
Cirilo is being charged with possession, possession for sales and the distribution of marijuana. Cirilo is also being held in the Merced County Jail.
" These latest arrests should put out of business a ruthless Drug Trafficking Organization operating in Merced County, but further illuminates how far these barbarians will go to protect their drugs, and that is Murder," Merced County Sheriff, Mark Pazin said,
Currenlty eleven people have been arrested in connection with the murder investigation. Six of those eleven arrests are for Avina's murder. Authorities say that the investigation is still on-going.
Stay with KMPH and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
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