Crime & Safety
Bar Parking Lot Shooting Suspect Arrested In North Orange County
After a man was gunned down and killed in a Santa Ana bar parking lot, police arrested a suspect. He is being held on $1 million bail.
SANTA ANA, CA — A young man was arrested Wednesday for his suspected role in gunning down another man in a Santa Ana bar parking lot. The 19-year-old suspect was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of shooting and killing 27-year-old Mauricio Martinez of Tustin, Santa Ana Police Department's Corporal Anthony Bertagna said.
Augustin Ceja, born in Chicago who spent most of his life in Mexico, was booked on suspicion of murder on Wednesday.
The victim was found outside the Casa Del Rey Bar at 2oo block of W. Warner Ave. just after midnight Tuesday and was pronounced dead at the scene at just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Bertagna said.
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"Ceja and Martinez got into an argument in the parking lot that escalated," he said. "The two were not previously acquainted," Bertagna said.
The nature of the dispute is not known. Neither man had any gang ties, according to Bertagna.
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Ceja was being held on $1 million bail, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana Police Department Photo
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