Arrests Made in “Craigslist Murder” of SoCal Father:
I originally posted about the craigslist murder of Rene Balbuena here. He was shot and killed on the streets of L.A. in front of his 15-year-old son. He was lured to his death by someone who was supposed to be selling him a cell phone. Instead two people allegedly fired into Balbuena’s car, killing him and grazing his son.
The suspects were at large until late last week when 17-year-old Ryan Roth and 18-year-old Markell Thomas were arrested and charged with Balbuena’s murder. Police say that they both belong to a branch of the infamous Bloods gang and are allegedly connected with a series of craigslist armed robberies using the same M.O. Roth is being charged as an adult.
Here’s how police say it went down…
Thomas allegedly jumped in the backseat of Balbuena’s car and pointed a gun at the victim’s 15-year-old son, demanding property.
Balbuena stepped out the car and was shot multiple times in the torso, allegedly by Roth, who was waiting outside the car.
UPDATE 9/13/2015: Roth was recently found not guilty while Thomas pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 years.
According to he L.A. Times Ryan’s attorney states that Thomas lied about Roth being his accomplice.
UPDATE 8/5/2017: Roth was sentenced to 19 years and four months in prison.
Real Crime with Trench Reynolds 