Post by HeadMarshal on Oct 5, 2013 17:32:26 GMT -5
Authorities in San Diego County, California are searching for the last remaining members of the Los Palillos gang. AMW aired this case twice in 2010, searching for five wanted fugitives and one unknown member. From the photos shown left to right above, Juan Laureano-Arvizu, Hector Altamirano-Lopez, Ernesto Ayon, Eduardo Monroy and Juan Omar Calderon are still wanted. (photo credits: amw.com archives)
Los Palillos was started by Jorge "Palillo" Rojas-Lopez after the Arellano-Felix organization (aka the Tijuana Drug Cartel), killed Jorge's brother in Mexico. What started as a drug distribution ring would end in the kidnappings and murders of nine people in Southern California. Los Palillos targeted both members and associates of the Arellano-Felix organization and honest individuals living in San Diego County. Many of these murders would take place in Chula Vista, a suburb which is populated by Mexican immigrants who fled the violence raging in their home country.
One of the victims was Eduardo Gonzalez Tostado, a successful businessman who operated on both sides of the US-Mexico border. On June 8, 2007, Eduardo met an attractive woman at a coffee shop, three weeks after receving a threat from Juan Laurenzo-Arvizu. She lured Eduardo to her home where Eduardo was beaten by gang members and held for a $2 million ransom demand. The FBI got involved and tracked several gang members to where they were holding Eduardo. Eduardo was rescued and some of the gang members were arrested.
In another incident, in 2005, businessman Salvador Parra was working in the garage of his Chula Vista residence when Los Palillos members posing as cops attempted to abduct the millionaire. The gang members fired shots into Salvador's residence but later got into a police chase when two men started shooting at an officer. The two shooters were arrested but authorities believe both Jorge Rojas-Lopez and Juan Laureano-Arvizu escaped apprehension.
In 2009, an indictment was brought against the Los Palillos gang by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Although numerous gang members have been convicted, including Jorge Rojas-Lopez, the following five are still wanted. To make things easier to read, I've made comments on each of them separartely.
Juan Laureano-Arvizu (5 Counts Of Murder, Kidnapping, Robbery, Attempted Murder Of A Police Officer): The overall-worst member of Los Palillos that's still at large.
Hector Altamirano-Lopez (3 Counts Of Murder): Wanted for three of Los Palillo's murders.
Ernesto Ayon (2 Counts Of Murder, Kidnapping): Wanted for killing Cesar Uribe and Marc Anthony Leon Jr., as well as dissolving their bodies in acid.
Eduardo Monroy (Kidnapping and Conspiracy): Wanted for kidnapping and conspiracy. According to an online Mexican newspaper blog, Monroy has been seen in the Puerto Vallerta region of Mexico. I don't know how reliable the source is but I'll post the link below.
Juan Omar Calderon (2 Counts Of Murder, Robbery): Wanted for two murders and robbery.
www.sdcda.org/files/Los%20Palillos%20Indictment%20News%20Release%208-13-09.pdf
columnajorgeolmos.blogspot.ca/2012/11/se-pasea-en-puerto-vallarta-uno-de-los.html (Put into an online translator)
Poster's Note: I do realize there's more I could have mentioned and I may have incorrectly have said a few things, but this did take a long time to put together. If anyone wants to bring up anything else about this complicated case or ask questions, then it's perfectly okay to do so.
Admin Note #1: According to articles and press releases, CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to their arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 888-580-8477.
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
