3 Face First-Degree Murder Charges in Guard’s Slaying

Three men arrested in connection with the slaying of an unarmed security guard were charged Wednesday with first-degree murder.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis R. Rosenblum said his office will prosecute the suspects to the fullest extent of the law because of the “senseless and brutal nature” of the crime.

Jerry Lee Alonzo Jr., 19, is accused of gunning down former Marine Dagoberto Carrero while Carrero was working the night shift as a security guard at the Century City Theatre in Orange on Feb. 19.

Authorities allege that Alonzo fired five shots from a handgun through the glass doors, hitting Carrero in the head and the back. Investigators said Alonzo shot Carrero because of an argument the two had had a month earlier at the movie theater.

After the shooting, the other two defendants, Rafael Maldonado, 20, and Jessie Pena, 19, drove Alonzo away from the crime scene, authorities said.

Rosenblum said Alonzo’s two accomplices were charged with murder because they aided and abetted the commission of the crime.

Municipal Judge B. Tam Nomoto in Santa Ana set bail at $250,000 for each man. Their arraignment hearing was postponed until March 25.