Local News in Brief : 2 Teen-Agers Arrested in Santa Clarita Over Illinois Killing

A teen-age boy suspected of killing his father in Illinois was arrested along with a friend in Santa Clarita on Tuesday, after driving across the country in the victim’s car, authorities said.

The victim’s 15-year-old son and a 16-year-old male friend were arrested about 4:30 p.m. in front of an apartment complex in the 23600 block of Magic Mountain Parkway, said Sgt. Gregory Palmieri of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The 15-year-old was being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall in connection with the slaying of Frederick Braun, 42, of Barrington, Ill., Palmieri said. Braun was shot in the head at close range with a shotgun as he slept in his bed Friday morning, Palmieri said.

The 16-year-old, believed to have been present during the killing, is being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall pending further investigation, Palmieri said.

After the slaying, the Lake County sheriff’s office in Illinois issued a murder warrant naming the victim’s son, who is believed to have a history of mental problems, Palmieri said. Illinois authorities later told the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that the boy might be driving his father’s 1980 Chrysler LeBaron to Santa Clarita to see a friend, Palmieri said.

Sheriff’s deputies contacted the friend, a 16-year-old girl, on Tuesday, he said. The girl told them that the boy and his companion had visited Monday night and might return Tuesday, he said.

Deputies set up surveillance at the apartment complex and arrested the boys without incident, Palmieri said. Illinois authorities are scheduled to arrive today to continue their investigation, he said. The boys probably will be returned to Illinois later this week, he said.