Rewards Offered for Arrests in Long Beach Killings

County supervisors today approved a $10,000 reward for information that helps solve the 2014 slaying of a man in a Long Beach restaurant parking lot and renewed a reward in the hit-and-run death of a wheelchair user.

Charles Bell was shot to death and three other victims wounded just before 3 a.m. on March 23, 2014, in a parking lot outside a Denny’s restaurant at 601 Long Beach Blvd.

Witnesses described the suspects and their vehicle to police, but detectives said they have exhausted all leads without making any arrests.

“Detectives feel they are at a point where it would be beneficial to offer a reward, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward,” Supervisor Don Knabe said in his motion.

Anyone with information was asked to call Long Beach police Detectives Scott Lasch or Donald Goodman at (562) 570-7244.

Knabe also requested the extension of a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the motorist who struck and killed 55-year-old Jose Guevarra of Long Beach shortly before 10 p.m. on Feb. 13.

Guevarra was crossing Santa Fe Avenue near Lincoln Street in his wheelchair when he was struck by a late-model green sedan, possibly a BMW. The driver sped away.

The victim was thrown from his wheelchair by the impact, according to Knabe, who called it an “incredibly heinous crime.”

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call Long Beach police Detective Sirilo Garcia at (562) 570-7355 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- TIPS (8477).

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock