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Ex-girlfriend suspected of plotting prior attack on murder victim Victor Sanchez 

Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 5.21.17 PMFive suspected in robbery and attack on murder victim

Police outline of the plot

  • Last October Victor Sanchez was attacked by a group lead by his ex-girlfriend.
  • Plot used young woman to lure him from a Paso Robles bar to a remote area.
  • Sanchez suffered a broken nose and forearm, robbed of wallet and keys in attack.
  • Witnesses in the area called sheriffs and Sanchez filed a report of the attack.
  • 37-year-old Sanchez was gunned down outside of his apartment in February.
  • Two suspects in the attack and robbery fled to Mexico after February murder.
  • Paso Robles Police says they are close to solving the murder case.

Suspected in the attacks:

  • Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo, 49, of Paso Robles, Sanchez’s ex-girlfriend
  • Crystal Lynn Garner, 26, Stockton, CA
  • Joseph Villarreal Jr., 24, Stockton, CA
  • Christine Lee Garner, 24, Ceres, CA
  • David Rodriguez Hernandez, 37, Christine’s husband, Ceres, CA

 

The Paso Robles Police Department has been actively investigating the February 23rd murder of Mr. Victor Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez was shot multiple times in front of his apartment complex along the 3100 block of Spring Street, Paso Robles.

Shortly after the murder investigators became aware that Mr. Sanchez had been the victim of a robbery and assault which occurred on October 6, 2012. Mr. Sanchez reported this assault and robbery to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department, as the crime occurred within their jurisdiction. Police investigators obtained the Sheriff’s Department investigative reports and met with detectives to determine if the incident might be linked to Mr. Sanchez’ murder.

The following is a summary of the October 6, 2012 robbery and assault:

Victor Sanchez

Victor Sanchez from a Facebook photo

On the evening of Saturday, October 6th, 2012 Victor Sanchez met with a woman at a local, Paso Robles, bar. Video surveillance from the bar recorded this meeting. After consuming a few drinks at the bar the woman and Mr. Sanchez left the bar and Paso Robles. The two drove to Templeton, CA, in Mr. Sanchez’ car, and eventually stopped along the 100 block of Booker Road. After stopping an additional car pulled in behind Mr. Sanchez’ car, blocking their movement.

Mr. Sanchez was subsequently forced from his car where he was assaulted with a crowbar and robbed of his wallet and car keys. The assault was interrupted after nearby residents overheard the commotion and scared the suspects away. The suspects, including the female from the bar, fled the scene before Sheriff’s Deputies responded. Mr. Sanchez sustained a broken nose and forearm as a result of the robbery.

Mr. Sanchez provided key investigative details to Sheriff’s detectives that ultimately helped police investigators identify two suspects involved with the robbery and assault. Police detectives were able to identify the woman in the bar room surveillance video as 26-year old Crystal Lynn Garner of Stockton, CA. Police investigators determined Crystal Garner was already incarcerated on unrelated charges in San Joaquin County, CA. Investigators also identified Crystal Garner’s boyfriend, 24-year old Joseph Villarreal Jr. of Stockton, CA, as alsobeing a suspect in the robbery and assault. Villarreal also was already in custody on unrelated charges, serving a prison sentence with the California Department of Corrections.

Ty Lewis

Ty Lewis updated the media this week.

Subsequent evidence, interviews, and investigation implicated three additional co-conspirators to Mr. Sanchez’ assault and robbery. Investigators developed probable cause to believe Crystal Garner’s sister, 24-year old Christine Lee Garner and Christine’s husband, 37-year old David Rodriguez Hernandez, were also involved in the planning and eventual assault and robbery. Both Christine Garner and David Hernandez reside in Ceres, Ca.

Police investigators developed probable cause to believe 49 year old, Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo, of Paso Robles orchestrated and financed the robbery and assault of Mr. Sanchez. Granados was the ex-girlfriend of Mr. Sanchez. The two had resided together in Paso Robles off and on until their relationship ended in mid-2012. Investigators suspect the robbery and assault was planned and financed by Granados after an acrimonious breakup with Mr. Sanchez. Investigators have determined suspect David Hernandez is related to Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo through a former marriage with Herndanez’ brother.

Police Chief Robert Burton said investigators are close to solving the murder

Police Chief Robert Burton said investigators are close to solving the murder

With the assistance of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, investigators determined Christine Garner and David Hernandez fled to Mexico shortly after Victor Sanchez’ murder. Police investigators worked with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office and obtained arrest warrants for Christine Garner and David Hernandez. Garner was subsequently arrested by Mexican authorities for the warrants and returned to the United States on April 17th and she was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on April 18th, 2013.

On Sunday, April 24th, 2013, Police and SLO County DA investigators arrested Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo in connection with the robbery and assault in Fayetteville, Georgia where she currently awaits extradition.

David Rodriguez Hernandez is still believed to be hiding in Mexico and has active arrest warrants in connection with the assault and robbery of Mr. Sanchez. The SLO County DA’s office is working with Mexican authorities to return Hernandez to the United States.

While no arrests have been made in connection with Mr. Sanchez murder, investigators continue to investigate whether any of these suspects were involved with the planning and ultimate murder of Mr. Sanchez. PRPD and SLO County DA investigators are continuing the investigation and we are hopeful that more information regarding Mr. Sanchez murder will be forthcoming. However, as of this time we are not in a position to discuss any further details about Mr. Sanchez homicide investigation. We will update the press as the investigation progresses.

Source: Paso Robles Police Department

See related story: Victor Sanchez murdered at Spring Street apartment

 

 

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

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