SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego and National City police departments announced several arrests Friday in violent crime cases over about two years in central San Diego and the South Bay.
Police said in a release the crimes occurred between April 2018 and February 2020 in the Bay Terraces, Mountain View, and Shelltown neighborhoods, and the National City area.
Many cases appeared to be linked to the same suspects, police added, and a gang allegation was attached to each crime:
- John Orozco, 26, of El Cajon, was arrested on Nov. 11, 2020, for the murder of Joaquin Ruiz on July 12, 2019, the attempted murder of Julio Martull on July 24, 2019, and other related crimes.
- Ethan Apan, 28, of National City, was arrested on Nov. 17, 2020, for the murder of Joaquin Ruiz on July 12, 2019, the attempted murder of Julio Martull on July 24, 2019, and conspiracy to commit the murder of Marco Magana on Aug. 1, 2019. Apan was also arrested for other related charges.
- Kevin Herrera, 26, of National City, was arrested on Nov. 17, 2020, for the murder of Joaquin Ruiz on July 12, 2019, and other related charges.
- Ismael Betancourt, 20, of National City, was arrested on Nov. 19, 2020, for the murder of Lowry Rivers on April 8, 2018.
- Jorge Sanchez, 18, of San Diego, had previously been arrested for the murder of Emily Cortez on July 15, 2020. While in custody, Sanchez was also charged with the murder of Leah Posey and the attempted murder of Adan Duque on February 2, 2020, the murder of Marco Magana on August 1, 2019, conspiracy to commit the murder of Julio Martull on July 24, 2019, and other related crimes.
Police said the District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the cases and the investigations were still on-going.
Anyone with information about any of the above cases is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
