Oregon Man Named Suspect in Shootings of Torrance Couple : Crime: Evidence found in stolen pickup truck leads police to his identity. He is called a dangerous ‘community terrorist.’

Using evidence discovered in a stolen pickup truck, police have identified an Oregon man as a suspect in the shootings last weekend that left a Torrance man dead and his wife seriously wounded.

Randy Eugene Garcia, 22, is being sought in the murder of Joseph Raymond Finzel and the attempted murder of Lynn Finzel during an apparent robbery attempt. Torrance Police Chief Joseph De Ladurantey described Garcia as a dangerous “community terrorist” who may be on his way to Portland with another man.

Garcia allegedly stole two guns from the couple’s home, including a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum that police believe he used in the shootings.

Police say Garcia, described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 145 pounds, took jewelry and credit cards from the Finzels. But it was a pickup truck stolen from the couple and abandoned less than half a mile from their home that provided clues to the alleged killer’s identity, police said.

“There was evidence left in the victim’s truck that tied us to that particular suspect and his acquaintance,” De Ladurantey said at a press conference Tuesday. He declined to describe the evidence found in the truck, which was found Sunday night.

Lynn Finzel, who was listed in stable condition Tuesday at an undisclosed hospital, identified Garcia through photographs provided by detectives, police said. Garcia’s acquaintance, known only as Bruce, is not believed to have been involved in the crime but is wanted for questioning.

Garcia has a history of burglary arrests in Oregon and is wanted in that state for violating probation, police said. He is believed to have fled Los Angeles County in a charcoal gray, four-door Honda Accord with Oregon license plates.

Police believe Garcia was the intruder who entered the Finzels’ North Torrance home through an unlocked door at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday. The intruder tied up Lynn Finzel and assaulted her as the couple’s 6-month-old daughter slept in another room. When Joseph Raymond Finzel arrived soon afterward, police said, the assailant, using one of the Finzels’ guns, shot him twice and then shot Lynn Finzel.

The woman played dead for more than an hour while the killer, who was wearing gloves, ransacked the home, police said. The Finzels’ infant was unharmed and has been in the care of relatives since the attack.

“There is no indication that there was any rationale behind this other than to gain some money, some jewelry,” De Ladurantey said. “A human life meant absolutely nothing.”

In the neighborhood of young families and longtime residents near the San Diego Freeway, residents were frightened and shocked by the shootings.

One reported hearing noises the night of the shooting, but said she thought it was the Finzels’ pet goat, which the family took to children’s parties, butting a fence.

“It’s just a terrible thing that happened,” said a neighbor who asked not to be identified. “We’ve never had any problems here . . . but this, it just shakes you up.”

Detectives are investigating whether Garcia may have been involved in other burglaries in the South Bay, but police say he is not a suspect in other crimes.

Relatives of the Finzels have established a memorial fund at Torrance Bank in honor of Joseph Raymond Finzel. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund may contact bank representative Sharon Fuller at (310) 373-8645.