In an aggressive push to solve several chilling homicides, California Governor Gavin Newsom is dangling a $200,000 pot of rewards for information that helps nail the culprits. As cold cases pile up, Newsom's latest gambit offers $50,000 for leads on each of four murder cases haunting the communities of Costa Mesa, San Diego, and Santa Ana, as confirmed by Hoodline.

Among the unresolved cases, the murder of 22-year-old Gregory "Izik" Ruffin Jr. in San Diego has sparked a significant response, with San Diego County Crime Stoppers and the SDPD Homicide Unit urging public assistance. On February 24, 2019, Ruffin Jr. was found dead, with autopsy revealing trauma to his upper body. Despite exhaustive probes, his killer remains at large. The California Governor's Office, along with Ruffin Jr.'s family, have, now pooled a $55,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction, reported San Diego County Crime Stoppers.

Also on the grim list are the unresolved deaths of Alan Schwalbe in Costa Mesa, and Lamontee Stevenson, alongside Santa Ana's Victoria Barrios. Stevenson, just 19, was shot and killed at a party on August 17, 2019. The Governor's office is pulling out all stops in these cases by promising a hefty total of $200,000 in rewards, with the aim of encouraging public cooperation essential for apprehending those guilty of these grave crimes.

San Diego Police Department's Detective Sergeant Geoff DeCesari is leading the charge, laying out the welcome mat for any leads on the San Diego cases. In a statement obtained by Hoodline, the Governor's office emphasized, "Public assistance is vital to law enforcement, and rewards may encourage the public cooperation needed to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses." Media inquiries regarding the San Diego cases are to be directed to Lt. Steve Shebloski, while tips can be submitted anonymously through the San Diego County CrimeStoppers website.