Fate Uncertain for Trucker in Shooting

Truck driver Fernando Sancho, accused of shooting two of three men charged with trying to burglarize his rig early Monday, was questioned by the district attorney’s office Wednesday about the incident.

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Anderson said a decision has not yet been made whether to charge Sancho, 39, with attempted murder.

“He answered all the questions we had and gave his side of things,” Anderson said. “He was very cooperative. We asked about his background and about the experiences of a trucker with a load of expensive cargo. The main issue is going to be whether the use of force was reasonable under the circumstances.”

Anderson said he is waiting for completed police and crime scene reports before deciding the fate of Sancho.

Since the independent trucker was arrested earlier this week, both the La Habra Police Department and the Orange County district attorney’s office have been flooded with calls from citizens defending Sancho, officials said.

“It’s been fairly universal that Mr. Sancho is a victim,” Anderson said.

Sancho, reached at his home late Wednesday, would not discuss the incident but did express gratitude for the outpouring of community concern.

“I really appreciate all the support of the people of Orange County and the city of La Habra,” he said, “and the police--they have been very helpful. They’re doing the best job they can.”

Sancho’s brother-in-law, Felipe Hernandez, also praised those who have rallied around Sancho but said the situation is distressing.

“The family is very depressed,” he said. “These are things that never should have happened. We’ve never been involved in these types of problems. We’re fearful.”

The biggest concern, he said, is that the people who have been charged in the incident might try to retaliate against the family.

Police said Sancho parked his rig, loaded with $250,000 worth of seafood, in a La Habra commercial strip so he could sleep. When he was awakened by three would-be thieves, police said, he picked up a rifle that he had by his side, chased the men and fired the rifle at them.

Sancho was accompanied to the district attorney’s office Wednesday by his lawyer, Orlando Castano Jr., who said his client is “overwhelmed and confused and obviously concerned.

“He is appreciative of the public support that we have seen so far,” Castano said. “That has helped him cope with it so far. It was an unfortunate incident, and he is sorry it happened.”

Castano said the load of frozen seafood was delivered on time by another driver and that his client will return to work on Friday.

Meanwhile, prosecutors filed burglary charges against the three suspects Wednesday. Anderson said one of the men had managed to get into Sancho’s truck before the shooting.

Fernando Avila, 21, and Alfonzo Rodriguez, 27, remain at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where they are recovering from gunshot wounds. Their arraignments will be as soon as they are well enough to go to court, Anderson said. Arraignment for the uninjured suspect, Joel Montes, 20, is set for Friday.

Each of the suspects faces a maximum of three years in state prison if convicted.