California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, March 29 announced four $50,000 rewards for information to help solve four unsolved homicides in Southern California, including two in Orange County.
Police agencies can request help from the governor’s office for certain cases under California law after exhausting all leads, hoping that it motivates people who know something relevant to come forward.
In Santa Ana, detectives are seeking information leading to an arrest and conviction for the killing of 18-year-old Victoria Barrios, who was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting just after midnight on Aug. 30, 2019.
A 17-year-old boy was also wounded in the shooting near Pine and Hickory streets, and police have said they believe someone else was the intended target in a gang-related attack.
Police released surveillance video days after the shooting, which shows at least one person firing from an open rear-passenger side door of a moving SUV, which was described as being a newer model, red or maroon full-size vehicle with four doors.
Barrios, who graduated from Los Amigos High School in June 2018, showed an interest in criminal justice, her mother, Eva, told the Register in 2019.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 714-245-8390.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Unit continues to investigate the death of 61-year-old Alan Schwalbe, who was fatally stabbed inside his home in an unincorporated area of Orange County near Costa Mesa on Aug. 11, 1993, officials said.
Schwalbe’s daughter, Laura Bejerano, told the Register in 2009 that her father was a teacher at Corona del Mar High School until his credentials were taken away in 1975. He was convicted of misdemeanor child molestation involving two students and later became a gay rights activist.
In December 2022, Orange County sheriff’s officials said they were re-examining the case and asked for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest. In a statement, officials said there appeared to be evidence of a struggle, but no signs of forced entry. It did not appear the home was ransacked.
“In addition to new technology, people’s friendships, alliances and associations change over time,” OCSD Investigator Bob Taft said in 2022. “People who may have been reluctant to come forward during the original investigation may feel more at ease coming forward now because of a change in these associations.”
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 714-647-7055 or email coldcase@ocsheriff.gov.
Anonymous tips for both cases can be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-855-TIP-OCCS or at occrimestoppers.org.
The other two rewards announced Friday are in connection with cases being investigated by the San Diego Police Department.
Source: Orange County Register
Be First to Comment