May-Day Extradition from Colorado to San Bernardino County for Triple-Murder Suspect
Photo: Louis Gabriel Lucero
APPLE VALLEY – VICTORVILLE – Triple-homicide suspect Louis Gabriel Lucero (35) of Victorville was arrested on 04/30/2020 at 12:28 p.m. in Eagle County, Colorado on an unrelated charge, only to be discovered as wanted for the murder of three bodies found in the Apple Valley desert. His girlfriend and two children, who had recently gone missing, were encountered by an off-roader at Corwin Road/Waalew Road, Town of Apple Valley.
First, Homicide Detectives had responded to an incident call, to conduct an investigation on 04/29/2020 at about 10:57 AM, and connected the dots on the 15400 block of Ferndale Road, Victorville. Spotting signs of a struggle inside the home, Deputies were told that Erlinda Villareal (42), of Victorville, and her boyfriend (Lucero) lived there.
The pair hadn’t been seen nor heard from since early that morning. Investigative techniques and attempts to locate Villarea, Lucero and his vehicle came up dry.
Next, Dispatch received a call later that day at 5:36 PM from a person off-roading, who’d discovered three bodies in the desert area of Apple Valley. Homicide Detectives responded to conduct the investigation on a woman (Villareal), and (anonymous, pending positive identification) two male juveniles (ages 9 and 12).
Lucero became the Person of Interest when Detectives determined that the victims had left the Ferndale Road home with Lucero and were murdered at an unknown location, then placed in the desert area where they were found.
A Specialized Investigations Division Alert followed: “Louis Lucero fled the area in a silver-colored 2008 Ford Explorer, CA license 6HCF706. He is considered armed and dangerous and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact law enforcement immediately.”
The next day, 04/30/2020 at 12:28 PM, the elusive triple-homicide suspect and his vehicle were seen in Eagle County, Colorado, where Lucero was contacted and arrested on an unrelated charge. He was held on the current charges, as well as the warrant for Murder, and was scheduled for an extradition hearing before returning to San Bernardino County.
On May Day, 05/01/2020, Lucero waived the extradition process and was transported back to San Bernardino County, where Homicide Detectives booked Lucero at West Valley Detention Center for Murder. He is currently behind bars – held on No Bail.
The investigation regarding Case No. DR#172003831 H#2020-34 is ongoing and no additional information is available for release at this time. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Nicholas Clark, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com
