An investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim were allegedly involved in a physical altercation that led to the victim's death, police said
Credit: google maps
NEED TO KNOW
- A 60-year-old man in a wheelchair was found murdered in Wonder Valley, Calif.
- His body was dumped in a remote desert area and discovered by a citizen on Friday, April 10
- Police have arrested and charged a 38-year-old suspect in connection with the homicide
A man was murdered and then left in a remote desert area.
A citizen discovered the man's body while traveling on Gammel Road in Wonder Valley, Calif., at 9:48 a.m. local time on Friday, April 10, per a release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD). The man was "partially sitting in a wheelchair that was on its side."
Deputies who responded to the scene determined that he was deceased.
The SBCSD's Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail arrived at the scene and began an investigation. They observed "trauma" to the victim's body and quickly determined that he had been murdered somewhere else and left on the road, per the release.
The SBCSD identified the victim as a 60-year-old from Highland, Calif. His name has not been released, pending notification of family.
Through their investigation, detectives identified a suspect, 38-year-old Jimmy Rodriguez of Moreno Valley, Calif. They learned that the victim and Rodriguez allegedly engaged in a physical altercation in Highland, Calif., that led to the 60-year-old's death.
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Credit: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook
Detectives also determined that after the murder occurred, Rodriguez allegedly drove to Wonder Valley and dumped the victim's body in the road.
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with murder, per the SBCSD. He was booked at the Central Detention Center, where he remains without bail.
PEOPLE reached out to the SBCSD for more information on the case.
The department has asked anyone with information related to the case to contact its Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. In addition, online reports can be submitted at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
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