Community Corner
Suspect Vehicle Linked To Shooting Death Of LE Man Found
The vehicle is believed connected with the shooting death of Franklin Robles of Lake Elsinore on Aug. 9, 2010, according to a department statement.
A van believed linked to the killing of a Lake Elsinore man in Long Beach more than a year ago has been found in the San Diego County community of Chula Vista, and investigators are processing the vehicle for DNA, fingerprints and other forensic evidence, the Long Beach Police Department announced today.
The vehicle is believed connected with the shooting death of Franklin Robles of Lake Elsinore on Aug. 9, 2010, according to a department statement.
Robles was killed during a robbery the 1400 block of West 16th Street in Long Beach, where he had gone to purchase a vehicle, which turned out to have been a setup, according to police. His Lake Elsinore house was burglarized hours later, police said.
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According to witnesses, Robles was approached, robbed and killed by two men who then fled in a dark van, police said.
On Friday, police released composite sketches of two suspects believed involved in the crime. to see more on the suspects.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After news reports circulated, authorities received an anonymous tip regarding the location of a van believed to have been used in the crime. It was found in a salvage yard in Chula Vista, and authorities urged the anonymous caller to contact them again.
The suspects remain at large. The first suspect is described as black, between 35 and 40, around 6 feet, 220 to 230 pounds, with short, black hair. The second was described as a black man 40 to 45 years old, also around 6 feet tall, about 200 pounds, with short grayish/black hair.
Several hours after the Long Beach crime, a witness in Lake Elsinore reported seeing a tan Chevy Suburban at Robles' residence with two black men and two Hispanic men inside.
Long Beach detectives believe the four burglarized Robles' home hours after he was murdered and may be connected to his death.
The composite sketches are posted on the Long Beach police website, www.longbeach.gov/police.
Anyone with information on the identities or whereabouts of the suspects is urged to contact Long Beach homicide detectives Malcolm Evans or Todd Johnson, at (562) 570-7244. --City News Service
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