SAN BERNARDINO – A murder suspect who fled to Mexico was returned last week and is scheduled to face three counts for attempted murder and another count of murder.
It took a collaborative effort of national, regional and local law enforcement agencies to return Alfonso Garcia, Jr., 32, to the United States to face charges. Garcia was wanted for allegedly shooting three people in San Bernardino on June 21, said police. Richard Loera, Luis Loera Martinez, and Arnulfo Loera were all shot over an apparent property line and fence dispute. Luis Loera Martinez later died from the wounds suffered in that shooting.
Four days after the shooting, a felony warrant was issued in San Bernardino County on three counts of attempted murder against Garcia. Investigators determined that Garcia had fled the area, and requested the assistance of the FBI’s Inland Regional Apprehension Team to locate the suspect.
IRAT investigators determined that Garcia left California, crossing the border into Mexico, a violation of federal law. On Sept. 22, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Garcia, charging him with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
Cooperation between FBI offices in San Diego, Los Angeles and a legal attaché in Mexico City, along with the Mexican Federal Police, led to Garcia being located and arrested in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. Garcia, a U.S. citizen, was deported by Mexican authorities, turned over to the FBI and transported back to San Bernardino on Oct. 5. FBI spokesman Bill Lewis said that Garcia was taken into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego on Oct. 8. He was due in court sometime this week, said officials.
The IRAT team, which included agents and officers with the FBI, along with San Bernardino Police, Riverside County Sheriff’s office and Riverside Police worked together in the efforts to land Garcia as a prisoner.
Garcia was taken to San Bernardino Central Jail. According to officials, the U.S. government is expected to dismiss the federal warrant against Garcia, leaving him to be prosecuted by San Bernardino County officials.
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