3 Cemetery Killings In Perris: New Details, Manhunt Continues

PERRIS, CA — The search for a man wanted in connection with the execution-style killings of three men in a Perris cemetery continues, and on Wednesday the sheriff's department said he may be driving a different vehicle than previously thought.

José Luis Torres Garcia, 33, is the suspect in the slayings of Perris residents Jaime Covarrubias Espindola, 50; Jose Maria Aguilar-Espejel, 38; and Rodrigo Aguilar-Esepjel, 28 at Perris Valley Cemetery earlier this month, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's department announced Torres Garcia may be traveling in a silver 2007 GMC Yukon SUV with license plate 8BKX913‪. He is also known to ride a "motorcycle street bike," possibly a green Kawasaki, sheriff's officials said.

Torres Garcia is described as Hispanic; 5-feet, nine-inches tall; weighing 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has several aliases, including Jose Luis Torres; Ismael Garcia; and Ismael Garcia Gutierrez. He is known to frequent Perris and Mead Valley, according to the sheriff's department.

Sheriff Chad Bianco said the cemetery killings took place sometime on the night of Feb. 16 or early in the predawn hours of Feb. 17. The victims were targeted in what appeared to be an "assassination or execution," according to the sheriff.

Bianco could not say whether the killings were cartel-related, but did acknowledge that Torres Garcia and the victims knew each other. The four had been together at restaurants the night of the killings, the sheriff said.

Investigators do not have a motive and Bianco would not reveal how the three men were killed.

Torres Garcia has been deported out of the country twice, but during a Feb. 20 press conference Bianco could not confirm whether he was in the country illegally the night of the killings.

In addition to a warrant for the three killings, Torres Garcia also has two outstanding misdemeanor warrants — one for a DUI in Riverside County and one out of San Mateo County on drug charges.

Although Torres Garcia should be considered armed and dangerous, Bianco said the public is not in immediate danger because it is believed the killings were targeted.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Torres Garcia is asked to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Loureiro at 951-955-2777 or the sheriff's department at 951-776-1099 option 5.