3 suspects arrested in killing of 20-year-old Central Coast man
Two adults and a juvenile were arrested Friday in connection with the killing of a 20-year-old Santa Maria man.
Search warrants were obtained and arrests were made for three suspects at around 2 a.m. on West Sheila Lane, according to a Facebook post from Santa Maria Police. All are residents of Santa Maria.
The Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau, SWAT Team, and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team collaborated in a warrant operation connected to the Dec. 10 shooting, according to the post.
The victim was 20-year-old Anthony Hernandez of Santa Maria, police said.
“After a thorough investigation, search warrants were obtained for three locations, and arrest warrants were issued for three suspects, all residents of Santa Maria,” police said in the post.
Jesus Lopez-Ramirez, 18, and a 16-year-old male juvenile were arrested on charges of murder with gang enhancements. Alex Lopez-Ramirez, 21, was arrested as an accessory after the fact, or in other words, helping escape authority after committing a felony.
The warrants were served at two locations in Santa Maria, in the 300 blocks of West Newlove Drive and West Street. The third location took place in Casmalia in the 2900 block of Associated Road. All three suspects were arrested without incident, according to police.
Brothers Jesus Lopez-Ramirez and Alex Lopez-Ramirez were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail, while the juvenile was booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall, according to the post. Jesus Lopez-Ramirez’s bail was set at $2.04 million while Alex Lopez-Ramirez’s was set at $1 million.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Hesch at 805-928-3781, ext. 1349, the Santa Maria Police Department Communications Center at ext. 2277 or the Anonymous Tip Line at ext. 2677.
This story was originally published December 29, 2024 at 11:51 AM.
