Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : A man from Hesperia has been taken into custody on allegations of shooting and killing another man before disposing of his body in a secluded area of the High Desert. The incident, which occurred in June, has finally led to the arrest of Everardo Lopez-Vega, a 29-year-old resident of Hesperia. Omar Lopez-Barraza, a 30-year-old Apple Valley resident, was identified as the victim of this tragic shooting, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials.
Authorities managed to secure a warrant for the arrest of Lopez-Vega, and on Monday, December 4th, they received information that the suspect had been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arizona. Plans are now underway to extradite Lopez-Vega to San Bernardino County, where he will face charges of murder.
The incident originally took place on June 25th when deputies from the Victor Valley sheriff’s station were called to respond to an assault involving a deadly weapon in the unincorporated Apple Valley area. Witnesses relayed that a man had been shot and robbed at the scene before being transported to an undisclosed desert location and left there.
The homicide detail of the sheriff’s specialized investigations division took over the case and began their investigation. Later that day, a deputy from the Morongo Basin sheriff’s station was approached by an off-road vehicle rider who discovered a deceased individual near Old Woman Springs Road in Landers, approximately 55 miles southeast of the initial crime scene. Detectives believe that the deceased man was the shooting victim, later identified as Lopez-Barraza.
Detective Eric Ogaz, who is working on this case within the specialized investigations division, is urging anyone with information about this incident to come forward. He can be reached at 909-890-4904. For those wishing to remain anonymous, they can contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or visit wetip.com.
In conclusion, the arrest of the suspect brings a glimmer of hope to the loved ones of Omar Lopez-Barraza, as justice may soon be served in this tragic case. The diligent efforts of law enforcement, from the initial response to the subsequent investigation, have played a crucial role in bringing the suspect to justice.