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17-Year-Old Wanted in Pizzeria Slaying Caught

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From a Times Staff Writer

A 17-year-old wanted since April in the murder of an assistant manager at a San Fernando Valley pizzeria has been arrested, Los Angeles police said Sunday.

Dusty Tyrone Castillo of Simi Valley was arrested Friday in San Luis Obispo County and was being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall in the shooting death of John Michael Holden, 19, during a January holdup at a Porter Ranch pizza restaurant, said Detective Paul Tippin.

Detectives had released the juvenile’s name and a photograph in April after receiving the permission of a Juvenile Court judge. Castillo is also a suspect in seven other business robberies in the San Fernando Valley that occurred between November, 1992, and January, according to police, who described him as very dangerous.

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Holden, a part-time student at Moorpark College, was fatally shot after two robbers entered the small restaurant and demanded money. Holden, who had volunteered to cover the evening shift for a co-worker, handed over $450 but was shot, police said.

After a $30,000 reward was posted, police arrested two other youths, ages 16 and 17. One, who allegedly went into the pizzeria with Castillo, faces murder and robbery charges.

The other is a 16-year-old suspected of driving the getaway car, police said. Both are scheduled to be tried as adults.

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