VENTURA : Man Tied to Killing in San Bernardino

A routine check of fingerprints revealed Thursday that a driver arrested in connection with two hit-and-run accidents in Ventura is wanted in San Bernardino for allegedly killing an acquaintance and intimidating two witnesses.

Ventura police took Felipe Nery Cruz into custody Wednesday morning after he led them on a cross-town chase that ended when he abandoned his car at Victoria Avenue and Valentine Road, authorities said.

Cruz had no identification with him and told officers that his name was Thomas R. Rivera. But a check of his fingerprints at County Jail turned up a different name and the homicide warrant issued April 14 in San Bernardino, police said.

San Bernardino Police Sgt. Roger Poyzer said Cruz is suspected in the April 4 slaying of Javier Mercado, 30, with a .22-caliber rifle.

Poyzer said the killing occurred at a house where a party had been under way for hours. Just before 3 a.m., a group of people confronted Cruz in front of the house. Cruz then pulled a rifle from his car and fatally shot Mercado, police said.

After the killing, Cruz tried to intimidate two witnesses, then fled, police said.

On Thursday, Cruz was being held in Ventura County Jail without bail.

He is expected to be transferred to San Bernardino County to stand trial.

In addition to the homicide, Cruz has outstanding warrants in San Bernardino for spousal battery and a probation violation, police said.