San Diego police say a nearly two-month homicide investigation has led to four arrests in the October beating death of a 59-year-old man near Linda Vista Community Park, leaving neighbors rattled and looking over their shoulders on their usual walks. The victim, identified as Ruben Rimorin, was found unresponsive on a sidewalk near the Linda Vista Recreation Center on Oct. 18 and died at the scene.
Four Suspects Taken Into Custody
Detectives with the San Diego Police Department tracked down four suspects and arrested them on Dec. 10, then booked them into San Diego County Jail, according to NBC 7. The men were identified as Juan Garcia Alavez, 21; Juan Manuel Lopez, 26; Brian Reyes, 20; and Franklin Joseph Tuell, 21. They were being held without bail pending arraignment, while the District Attorney’s Office reviews the case. Police have not released detailed charging documents.
What Detectives Say Happened
Officers were dispatched just after 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 18 to the 6800 block of Osler Street, near the Linda Vista Recreation Center, where they found Rimorin with trauma to his upper body. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene. Homicide investigators say a group of men confronted Rimorin in the park area and that an altercation left him fatally injured, according to reporting by the Times of San Diego. Authorities initially described four to six suspects in their 20s and 30s as possibly involved in the assault.
Police Credit ALPR In The Probe
SDPD’s Homicide Unit said technology played a supporting role. The investigation was aided by the department’s automated license plate recognition system, although detectives did not explain exactly how it helped them zero in on the four men. “This investigation was assisted by the use of SDPD’s Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system,” police said in a statement, per 10News. Detectives are still asking anyone with video, cellphone footage, or other information from the early-morning hours of Oct. 18 to contact them.
Linda Vista Has Seen Recent Violence
The killing is part of a disturbing run of violence around Linda Vista Community Park this fall. In early October, a separate deadly shooting near the park led to different arrests, according to NBC 7. Neighbors and regular park users told reporters they were stunned to see a family-friendly gathering spot turn into the scene of multiple homicides in such a short span. City and police officials have said they are watching park activity closely and urging residents with video or tips to come forward.
Next Steps And How To Help
The four suspects remain in custody at the county jail and were scheduled for arraignment, though formal charging paperwork was not immediately available, per 10News. The investigation is still active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Police say tips can be submitted anonymously.
