Calif. Murderer Serving Four Life Prison Terms

On May 12, 1999, Los Angeles gang member 23-year-old Arthur Torres went out partying, high on meth, with his cousin, 25-year-old Nicholas Rodriguez.  Los Angeles police say the party fizzled quickly and developed into a night of crime and devastation. 

Cops say suspects began their evening in La Puente, Calif. where they carjacked and robbed a man.  The cousins continued their rampage when they crossed paths with 16-year-old Tommy Garnica and 15-year-old Juan Gonzales who were walking with two other friends down a street in Valinda, Calif.  Witnesses say Rodriguez shot the teens in front of their friends as Juan begged for his life.

The horror continued when the suspects decided to retaliate against a rival gang member, 27-year-old Humberto Salas.  Salas was driving with a female companion when the cousins flagged them down to pull over.  Police say that Torres and Rodriguez beat Humberto and they had his companion drive them to a canyon area.  Authorities say that Rodriguez continued to beat Humberto and gouged out his eyes, then revealed an eye to the female before tossing it out the window.  Cops say the female was ordered to pull over at Turnball Canyon Road where the suspects pushed Humberto off the side of a cliff. The female drove the pair back to La Puente and cops say the cousins jumped out of the car and fled when they realized they were being pursued by police.

Police say that Rodriguez was captured the next day, but Torres was caught on January 28, 2000, after AMW profiled the fugitive on our show.  Because of your tips, Arthur Torres has been brought to justice and is serving four life terms without parole.

-- By Jonathan Bierner, AMW Staff

AMW Capture #600

Tipster Helps Bust Meth-Addled Murderer

On December 4, 1999, AMW showed you the story of Arthur Torres' grisly exploits, and a viewer's tip led authorities to Arcadia, Calif. 

The fugitive was staying at a hotel with two friends when cops received the tip of his whereabouts. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department SWAT team set up surveillance around the hotel and were able to convince the suspect to surrender. 

Inside the hotel room, police say they found a .45 caliber weapon that could have been used to murder the teens.  Authorities say they collected DNA from the suspect that linked him to the third victim.