Ricardo Bonerges Morales-Mejia, a 52-year-old handyman, tragically lost his life on September 11, 2017, in Van Nuys, California. Morales-Mejia was working at a residence on Leadwell Street when he allowed a recently evicted tenant to retrieve his belongings. Later that day, Morales-Mejia returned to the property to secure it, only to be lured inside by the tenant and an accomplice with the promise of expensive vodka. Once inside, he was shot by the assailants, who then stole his truck. Morales-Mejia's body was discovered the following day inside the home.
The investigation quickly identified the perpetrators as Craig Roscoe Price, a 40-year-old man who had been evicted from the residence earlier that month, and Enrique Humerto Deltoro, a 38-year-old man who was living with Price. Both men were charged with one count of murder, with special circumstances of lying in wait. Price faced additional allegations of intentionally shooting Morales-Mejia with a handgun, causing his death. The crime was also believed to be gang-related, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
The legal proceedings against Price and Deltoro revealed their criminal backgrounds. Deltoro had prior convictions for robbery in 1998 and the sale or transportation of methamphetamine in 2013. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were scheduled to appear in court on November 30, 2017. The case drew significant attention from the community and law enforcement, with detectives urging anyone with information to come forward.
The murder of Ricardo Bonerges Morales-Mejia highlighted the dangers faced by individuals working in seemingly routine jobs and the potential for violence in situations involving evicted tenants. The case remains a poignant reminder of the need for vigilance and safety in all aspects of life.
