Evidence May Link Youth Held in Carjackings to Slaying
Police have arrested a 17-year-old suspect in connection with two carjackings in Eagle Rock and are investigating his possible involvement in a third carjacking attempt that resulted in the murder of Heidi Vargas, who would have turned 23 Wednesday.
The suspect, who was arrested Aug. 30, has confessed to the two carjackings but not to the murder. Police, however, say they have evidence that ties him to all three crimes, and are awaiting the results of crime lab tests that would further connect him to the murder.
Each incident took place between midnight and 3 a.m. as the victims got off the Ventura Freeway at Figueroa Street. Detective Art Placencia said the assailant hid on the side of the road and waited for his victims.
The Los Angeles City Council is offering a $25,000 reward for information on the Vargas murder. Anyone with information is asked to call Placencia or Detective John Munguia at (213) 485-2566.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
