Advertisement

Police Seek Stepson of Shooting Victim : Crime: Frank Pina, 37, is wanted for questioning in the death of his stepfather, Edward Tobin of Fullerton.

Share
TIMES STAFF WRITER

Police were searching Friday for the stepson of a 66-year-old man who was found shot to death in his home in the Rancho La Paz mobile home park.

Edward Thomas Tobin was found about 8:45 p.m. Thursday on his bedroom floor with a gunshot wound to the head, said Police Lt. Dan Becerra.

A neighbor reported the death after she checked on Tobin, concerned that his stepson had repeatedly said Tobin was not home when she called, police said.

Advertisement

“The neighbor, who is Tobin’s friend and co-worker, said she knows his usual schedule, when he would usually be home,” Becerra said.

Detectives want to question Frank Pina, 37, about his stepfather’s death, police said, but have not been able to locate Pina, who they believe has taken Tobin’s blue, four-door 1988 Toyota Camry, with the license plate 2GUE363. Pina lives in Phoenix but was apparently visiting Tobin for the week.

Tobin worked as a general manager at James Lee Record Processing, police said. He had lived alone since his wife died of bone cancer about two years ago, said a neighbor, Charles Troster, 59.

Tobin’s co-workers said they last saw him about 11 a.m. Thursday, when he left work to take his stepson to a bus station.

Neighbor Jerry Babe said he had not seen Tobin “in a long time. He usually kept to himself and didn’t come out much.”

Babe also recalled seeing police at Tobin’s house two days before the killing. Police confirmed that they were called to the house, but it was unclear whether the call involved Pina.

Advertisement

Authorities have not determined a motive for Tobin’s killing. Becerra said that Tobin’s wallet and car were missing from the house. Police described Pina as six feet tall, 220 pounds, with dark hair.

Anyone with information on Pina or the missing car is asked to call police at (714) 738-6776.

Advertisement