Felon Denies Killing Temecula Man In Gas Station Hold-up

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 21-year- old Temecula man during a robbery outside a Perris gas station pleaded not guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder and other charges.

Francisco Anthony Yzararraz, 26, of Perris was arrested last month for allegedly killing Gelder Funes-Lopez on Feb. 2.

Along with murder, Yzararraz faces a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a robbery, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. The special circumstance makes him eligible for capital punishment, if he's convicted and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office decides to seek it.

Yzararraz was arraigned before Superior Court Judge O.G. Mango, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for April 27 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Richard Carroll, Yzararraz was taken into custody for alleged parole violations within days of the shooting, and detectives interviewed him in jail and arrested him on suspicion of murder.

There was no word on the evidence allegedly linking the documented gang member to the crime.

According to sheriff's officials, Yazarraz allegedly confronted Funes-Lopez in an 8 p.m. hold-up, and the victim was shot in the upper body. Deputies and paramedics arrived within minutes, but the victim perished at the scene, and the shooter had fled, Carroll said.

According to court records, Yzararraz has prior convictions for armed robbery, gang activity and parole violations.