Suspect Arrested In Double Homicides Near Monrovia

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Hemet man was in custody Thursday in connection with two homicides that occurred in El Monte last month, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Jorge Rosales, 44, was arrested Monday in San Bernardino County on a warrant issued for two counts of first-degree murder, as well as assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, the CHP reported.

Rosales is accused in the shooting deaths of Christine Ramos, a 30- something Rialto resident who was found unresponsive about 4 a.m. April 11 in a vehicle on the right shoulder of the San Bernardino (10) Freeway near Peck Road; and Alejandro Miranda, 35, of El Monte.

Miranda was wounded in the early morning hours of April 15 at Baldwin Mini Park, 3750 Baldwin Ave., and died 11 days later.

"Before passing, Mr. Miranda was able to provide useful investigative information," the CHP reported.

The same day that Miranda was shot, San Bernardino County sheriff's personnel got a report of a suspect brandishing a firearm at a residence. Deputies went to the location and arrested Rosales following a chase, the CHP reported. He was booked initially in connection with the pursuit and on suspicion of illegal possession of a firearm.

"With diligent and thorough investigative work on the part of the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the El Monte Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, investigators were able to identify Mr. Rosales as a suspect in both murders, as well as a separate incident of brandishing a firearm and assault on April 11," according to a CHP statement.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock