A person suspected of killing a stranger in Pacific Seaside greater than three years in the past has been extradited to San Diego to face a homicide cost, authorities mentioned.
Felipe Villegas, 30, pleaded not responsible Friday in San Diego Superior Courtroom to homicide, in addition to an allegation of utilizing a firearm within the killing of Mary Garcia, 65, on Sept. 13, 2022. He’s the second man taken into custody within the case – San Diego police detectives initially suspected her son of the crime.
Villegas was booked into San Diego Central Jail on Wednesday. He was arrested in Texas three days after Garcia’s demise for his alleged half in an armed theft and carjacking. The extradition to San Diego remained on maintain for practically 42 months because the Texas case proceeded, officers mentioned.
Patrol officers responding to a report of an injured particular person discovered Garcia on the seaside after midnight close to the western terminus of Reed Avenue. A number of individuals tried to assist her and paramedics took her to a hospital, however medical doctors there pronounced her lifeless.
Villegas stays in custody with out bail and faces as much as 50 years to life in state jail if convicted. Police have disclosed no motive for the slaying of Garcia.
“There doesn’t seem like any identified connection between the sufferer and the suspect on this case,” performing Lt. Christopher Leahy mentioned Friday.
The identical day Garcia was killed, detectives arrested her son, Daniel Caldera. He pleaded not responsible to homicide and spent every week in jail earlier than authorities turned their focus to Villegas as Garcia’s alleged killer, dropped all costs and freed Caldera.
