Beloved RivCo 'Ice Cream Man' Beat To Death By Own Son, Sheriff's Dept. Alleges

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A murder charge was filed Wednesday against a man accused in the beating death of his 64-year-old father in his Coachella Valley home. Arraignment is scheduled next Wednesday for Jose Angel Velasco, 36, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the agency received a "suspicious circumstance call" about 10:45 p.m. Aug. 3 at a house in Desert Hot Springs.

"Deputies arrived and located an adult male victim deceased inside the residence with obvious signs of trauma," said sheriff's Sgt. Walter Mendez.

The man who was found dead has since been identified as 64-year-old Jose Luis Velasco — a beloved local ice cream vendor known as "The Ice Cream Man" or "El Paletero." His son, was eventually tied to the crime and police say they tracked him down in Los Angeles two days after the elder Velasco was discovered.

"Jose Angel Velasco was arrested on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at approximately 8:00 p.m., in the area of 6th St. and Grand Avenue in the city of Los Angeles," Mendez said. "The suspect was arrested without incident by Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators."

No other suspects are being sought, according to sheriff's investigators, who did not disclose a motive for the crime.

"El Paletero" will be memorialized at a Saturday event intended to raise funds for his funeral. The noon gathering organized by family members will be held at his home at 16280 Via Corto West and will feature food, ice cream and candy.

The family is hoping to raise $15,000. Those who cannot attend can also donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/sxyts... .

— City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Riverside County Sheriff's Department