Police say they have connected Itzcoatl Ocampo, the man charged with stabbing four homeless men to death, to the Oct. 25 slayings of a Yorba Linda woman and her son.
Anaheim Police Lt. Julian Harvey, commander of the task force investigating the killings, said in an interview Thursday evening that there is "significant evidence" leading authorities to believe Ocampo was involved with the slayings of Raquel Estrada, 53, and Juan Herrera, 34, who were stabbed to death in their Yorba Linda home.
Ocampo was arrested Jan. 13 after he was chased by bystanders after allegedly stabbing John Barry, 64. Barry was the fourth homeless man to be killed since Dec. 20. The stabbings frightened the homeless community and inspired many to go to shelters.
"We've developed evidence that leads us to believe very strongly that Mr. Ocampo was involved in the double murders" of Estrada and Herrera, Harvey said.
Eder Herrera, 24, was arrested on suspicion of killing his mother and brother as he was driving away from a friend's home the morning after the slayings. He pleaded not guilty Jan. 23 but remains in custody.
Harvey said the Orange County district attorney's office has evidence to keep Herrera in custody and would not specify Ocampo's relation to the crimes. "It does not mean Mr. Herrera is not involved," he said. "Part of our investigation is to prove or disprove Mr. Herrera's involvement."
Police would say only that there is a connection between Herrera and Ocampo, without indicating what the connection might be.
"We want to be confident as does the district attorney's office that we have the right people in custody for this crime," Harvey said.
Harvey said the proximity of the Oct. 25 crime scene on Trix Circle to Ocampo's home -- less than one mile -- and the method of killing spurred investigators' interest in the case. "It's a strong link," he said.
He would not comment on the type of weapon used in the Oct. 25 slayings.
A family friend of Eder Herrera, who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution, said he was close to his family. Many were perplexed to learn he had been arrested.
"They were shocked," she said, adding that Herrera hung in the same circle as Ocampo. "The boys were all friends."
Harvey said the task force has sorted through more than 1,800 tips in the case.
Copyright 2012 - Los Angeles Times
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
