Watsonville Police Make Arrests in Two-Year-Old Murder Case
WATSONVILLE — Authorities with the Watsonville Police Department have made two arrests in a two-year-old murder case. They arrested Miguel Angel Rodriguez for the 2011 murder of Gustavo Saragoza Diaz of Prunedale.
Miguel Angel Rodriguez
Two years to the day of the murder, Deputy US Marshall Chavez called the Watsonville Police and told them that Agent Jaime Rodriguez of Policia Estatal Preventiva needed confirmation of the detention of a male subject who was possibly wanted by U.S. Law Enforcement agency.
Rodriguez will be deported to the United States and charged with the murder of Diaz and the attempted murder of a female, with gang enhancements. He will be extradited to Santa Cruz County to face the charges.
Cesar Rosales
On July 23, 2011 Watsonville Police responded to the Target Store on Main Street in Watsonville on a report of gunshots fired. Police stated they found Diaz and a 25-year-old female in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds. Diaz was pronounced dead at the scene but the female was taken to Watsonville Community Hospital and treated for her injures.
Investigators believe that the two were walking out of the Target Store toward their vehicle when a green Honda Accord drove by them. As the couple reached their car the Honda approached them, stopped, and someone inside the car opened fire, hitting the couple.
Through investigative research, Watsonville Police Detectives were able to determine the identity of the second male suspect in this case. Detectives were able to arrest Cesar Rosales at his place of work without incident. He will face the same charges as Rodriguez.
“These arrests are a good example of how local, federal, and even international agencies can work together to produce results,” Watsonville Police Sergeant Eric Taylor said in a press release. “The Agents of Policia Estatal Preventiva have told us one of their priorities is to pursue, arrest, and deport persons who flee to Baja, California in an effort to elude capture.”
Read more:
San Jose Mercury News: Man hiding in Mexico arrested in 2011 Watsonville murder; second man also arrested
KSBW: 2 Watsonville homicide suspects arrested with help from Mexico
ABC Local: Two arrested in murder of man outside Watsonville Target
