Fourth suspect arrested in double homicide

A fourth suspect was arrested late Thursday in the deaths of two men earlier this week whose burned bodies were found in a vehicle that had been torched in a northern Merced County orchard.

Monico J. Pena, 40, of Livingston, was booked into the Merced County Jail just after 11 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and false imprisonment. He remained in custody Friday morning on more than $1.1 million bail, according to booking records.

Detective-Sgt. Chuck Hale confirmed Pena’s arrest was in connection with the deaths of Reyes Garcia Barona, 29, of Atwater, and Rudolpho Barona, 32, of Sacramento. Their bodies were found Monday in an orchard off East Monte Vista Avenue, east of Denair.

Investigators said further forensic testing is needed to formally confirm names of the victims, but investigators said they are confident in their identities.

The sheriff’s major crimes unit also on Thursday arrested three other suspects in the case, Heliodora Silva Arreola, 37, Gerardo A. Silva, 25, and Salvador Silva, 23. All three were still behind bars Friday on more than $1 million bail each, jail records confirmed.

The Sheriff’s Department said the deaths may be connected to some type of drug debt, but do not believe there are any gang connections in the case.

Investigators said the victims were kidnapped, held against their will and eventually murdered. Deputies have not commented on the cause of death.

Investigators on Wednesday seized more than 150 pounds of marijuana buds from a home in the 6800 block of California Street in Winton, along with more than $4,000 in cash and numerous guns.

The Merced County District Attorney’s Office was waiting for reports in the case Friday and formal charges had yet to be filed.

This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 10:56 AM with the headline "Fourth suspect arrested in double homicide."