4 Arrested in Connection With Drive-by Shooting

Anaheim police concluded a monthlong investigation Saturday by arresting four people, including a juvenile, in connection with a Feb. 10 drive-by shooting in which a 16-year-old was killed and his companion was injured, police said.

Lt. Stan Kantor said the four were rounded up without incident beginning at 7 a.m. and were booked into the Anaheim City Jail.

“It was the culmination of a lot of work,” Kantor said.

Police arrested Hilario Alfredo Ramirez, 20, of Anaheim; Gerardo Avila, 18, of Fullerton and an unidentified 17-year-old at their homes and booked them on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Kantor said.

Also arrested was Jesse Suarez, 21, of Anaheim, who was booked on suspicion of obstruction of justice for allegedly giving police “phony information” during their investigation of the shooting.

In the incident, Ruben Suarez, 16, of Anaheim was fatally hit in the chest by one of several bullets fired from a passing truck as he stood talking to a friend on the corner of Cypress and Emily streets at 1 a.m. Feb. 10.

Suarez’s companion, Martin Biramontes, 20, of Anaheim, was shot in the finger. The two friends were on their way home after attending a party in the area.

Investigators said they do not think the suspects knew the victims.

Kantor said that in the course of the investigation, Peggy Lara, 37, of Anaheim, and Narissa Rentoria, 20, of Vallejo were arrested at Lara’s home, where police confiscated unknown quantities of marijuana, cocaine and heroin. He said several weapons, including guns and nunchakus also were found there. The women are not suspects in the shooting, Kantor said, but were booked on suspicion of possession and sale of narcotics.

Kantor said Ramirez, Avila and the 17-year-old were being held without bail. He said bail had not been set for the other three.

All six are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday before a Municipal Court judge, Kantor said.