Police name suspect in Atwater homicide
Atwater police on Sunday released the name of the man they believe stabbed another man to death at a motel.
A warrant has been issued for 19-year-old Eric Cruz of Merced in connection with the Jan. 30 slaying of Sergio Avelar, who was killed at the Applegate Inn, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.
“It appears, at this time, the homicide is tied to some type of gang activity,” Joseph said. He declined to elaborate, citing a need to protect the investigation.
Avelar died around 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 30 at a room inside the motel on Sycamore Avenue.
“Cruz is a known gang member and is considered armed and dangerous,” Joseph said.
Police described Cruz as Latino, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, 140 to 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
He last was seen wearing a dark-colored hoodie-style sweatshirt with a dark-colored beanie cap, according to police.
Avelar’s death marks the first homicide of 2016 in Merced County. Last year, the county reported a total of 31 homicides, one below the record high of 32 set in 2014.
Merced County has reported 30 or more homicides each of the last three years.
The city of Atwater reported three homicides in 2015.
Anyone with information regarding Cruz’s whereabouts or further information is asked to call 209-357-6293 or the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6396. Callers can remain anonymous.
This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Police name suspect in Atwater homicide."