Authorities have arrested multiple men in connection with the murder-for-hire plot that led to the fatal shooting of a Southern California businesswoman, identifying her estranged husband as the alleged mastermind behind the crime.
Yesenia “Jessica” Torres, 44, was shot and killed on January 10 outside a San Bernardino hamburger restaurant she frequented. Investigators say her death was the result of a carefully orchestrated murder plot tied to an ongoing divorce and business disputes.
The Attack Caught on Camera
At a Tuesday press conference, the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) released surveillance footage of the attack. The video shows Torres in a confrontation with a man before a brief physical struggle ensues. Moments later, the suspect pulls out a firearm and fires nine shots. Torres attempted to reach the restaurant’s entrance but collapsed at the door, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
A Murder-for-Hire Linked to a Bitter Divorce
SBPD Detective Dominick Martinez stated that investigators determined the five suspects involved in Torres’ killing all had ties to her estranged husband, Sergio Reveles, 53. The couple had been entangled in a contentious, years-long divorce, with disputes over multi-million-dollar assets across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.
Authorities believe the murder plot was fueled by financial motives and that Torres had been stalked for months before the attack.
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The Suspects and Their Connections
Detectives identified the suspects as:
- Reynaldo Ruelas, 37 – Allegedly a key figure in the plot
- Arnoldo Ruelas, 54 – Brother of Reynaldo and connected to the hired hit
- Juan Perez, 42 – Employer of Arnoldo Ruelas and leaseholder of the couple’s pallet company
- Gerardo Llamas, 31 – The fifth suspect involved in the murder
Reveles, the alleged mastermind, was tied to all five men through business and personal connections.
Search Warrants Uncover Key Evidence
Law enforcement executed seven search warrants at residences linked to the suspects, uncovering large sums of cash, multiple firearms, and clothing allegedly worn on the day of the murder.
Murder Charges with Special Circumstances
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson confirmed that each suspect is facing a murder charge with special circumstances, including:
- Lying in wait
- Financial gain
- Committing the crime during a robbery
As the case moves forward, investigators continue to gather evidence, believing the murder was a carefully planned execution tied to financial and personal conflicts.
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