Riverside Police Department Press Release

Driver of Murder Vehicle Arrested

Riverside, Ca- On Wednesday October 1, 2003, 27 year-old Oscar Carrillo of Moreno Valley was shot and killed in front of the Lube Experts business located at 11850 Magnolia Avenue. At approximately 10:40 A.M. a 1991 gray Saturn occupied by several people parked in front of the business. Carrillo spoke to the occupants through the open front passenger window. Moments later, the right front passenger pointed a gun at Carrillo and fired several shots. Carrillo was struck in his upper torso. He was transported to Riverside Community Hospital where he died. No one else was injured.

Several witnesses provided descriptions of the vehicle and its occupants. Later that evening, investigators located the vehicle in the City of Corona. The female driver, 27 year-old Veronica Cantu of Corona, was arrested and later charged with 187 P.C. Murder.

On Thursday October 2, 2003 at approximately 9:45 P.M. members of the Riverside Police Department’s Metro and P.A.C.T. team arrested 27 year-old Leroy Gutierrez of Riverside. Police believe he fired the gun at Carrillo. They located him in the 10600 block of Bingham Avenue in Riverside. He was charged with 187 P.C. Murder. Gutierrez is currently on parole for 246 P.C. Discharge of a Firearm.

Several citizen informants provided information to the police throughout this investigation, including the identity of the driver of the suspect vehicle. On October 23, 2003 Corona Police Officers arrested 18 year-old Ezekiel Perez Jr. of Corona on a narcotics violation. Riverside Police detectives interviewed Perez. This afternoon, he was charged with 187 P.C. Murder. He is in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Investigators have been unable to identify two witnesses to the murder. They are asking for the public’s help in locating them. Occasionally witnesses are reluctant to come forward with information because they fear retaliation. Investigators want to assure them that they will do everything possible to keep their identities confidential.

Anyone with information related to this homicide investigation is urged to contact Detective Whitt at 909-320-8003 or Detective Cobb at 909-320-8034.