Local News in Brief : Pacoima Slayings of Latinos Probed
Los Angeles police are investigating similarities between recent fatal attacks on two Latino men a mile apart in Pacoima, a police spokesman said.
The investigation began Thursday morning, when police discovered a body in bushes near railroad tracks at the intersection of San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Boulevard, Detective Allan Michelena said. The victim, who appeared to be a transient in his mid-thirties, had been badly beaten Tuesday night, Michelena said.
Police do not know the victim’s identity, or whether he had been robbed, Michelena said. But he said the incident appeared to be similar to an April 14 attack on Samuel Alcantar, 46. Alcantar, an illegal alien living in San Fernando, was found unconscious and bleeding in a vacant lot near the intersection of San Fernando Road and Delsur Street, Michelena said.
Police said Alcantar never regained consciousness. He died Wednesday at Holy Cross Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Police have no suspects in either of the killings, Michelena said. Autopsies have not yet been performed on either of the men.
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