Mendocino County Sheriff Identifies Second Suspect in Point Arena Homicide
UPDATE (9-27-23, 8:30 AM PST): The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has announced via press release that the second person of interest is identified as 44-year-old Edgar Arteaga Coria. Coria is described as standing approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing around 160-170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Coria is considered armed and dangerous, and is believed to have fled Mendocino County.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that if he is seen, he is not to be approached. Should anyone see him, they are strongly advised to immediately contact local law enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office also released photos of Coria and identifying tattoos.
Original story:
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a man whose body was found on Ten Mile Cut Off Road. A second person of interest has also reportedly been identified and remains outstanding.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported physical assault in Point Arena just after 2 AM on Sunday, September 24. The initial report came from a concerned family member who had learned of an alleged assault on one of their relatives at a local bar in Point Arena, which they indicated had taken place several hours earlier.
Upon arrival in Point Arena, deputies began a search for the individual, described as an adult male, and ultimately located him on Ten Mile Cut Off Road, a significant distance away from the bar. The man was found deceased, and the condition of his body raised suspicions of a possible homicide.
Detectives were called to the scene, and the victim was soon identified as 32-year-old Jesus Joel Romero, a resident of the Point Arena area. Romero’s death was treated as suspicious and detectives began investigating the case as a possible homicide.
Later that day, detectives identified two persons of interest in connection with the man’s death, one of whom was identified as 23-year-old Antonio Coria Garcia. Soon thereafter, Coria Garcia himself contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives developed probable cause to believe Coria Garcia was involved in Romero’s death, and arrested him on suspicion of murder.
Detectives have not released the identity of the second person of interest.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to reach out to the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086.
It was unclear at press time whether Coria Garcia had retained an attorney. All persons arrested on suspicion of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
