Man sought in 2008 killing arrested in Mexico

Man sought in 2008 killing arrested in Mexico
3:30 PM Sat, Jun 06, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Posted by: PE News

A fugitive charged with killing a teen last year in San Bernardino was arrested late Friday in Mexico, police said.

The FBI's Inland Regional Apprehension Team, with assistance from Mexican authorities, arrested Juan "Smiley" Herrera, 30, to end a 14-month manhunt. The onetime auto mechanic was arrested walking down a dirt road outside of San Luis Rio Colorado, said San Bernardino police Detective John Vasek, a member of the fugitive task force.

Herrera will be jailed in Mexico City and await extradition. A witness from the original homicide investigation was arrested with him.

Herrera was wanted in the March 15, 2008 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Raymond Moreno at a trailer park on East 9th Street in San Bernardino. The victim was shot in the leg during a confrontation in front of Herrera's home, and later died at a hospital.

Another teen also was wounded. The victims were members of a local graffiti tagging crew, police have said.

Shortly after the shooting, prosecutors charged Herrera with murder, attempted murder and illegal firearm possession but could not locate him. Investigators later got information that Herrera was in Mexico.

--Paul LaRocco
plarocco@PE.com