3 Fatally Shot in Apparent Love Triangle, Police Say

Three people were killed Thursday in an apparent love triangle after an estranged husband shot his wife in Pomona, drove to Pacoima where he killed one of her co-workers and then turned the gun on himself miles away, authorities said.

Police said Steven Kraut, 41, of Acton, and Elvia Maribel Arreola, 39, of Pomona, were shot and killed by the woman’s husband, 42-year-old Marcial Arreola of Rancho Cucamonga, over a three-hour period. Elvia Arreola was seeking separation from her husband and had been dating Kraut, whom she worked with at a hardware manufacturing plant in Pacoima, said Sgt. Joann Crabb of the Pomona Police Department.

“All we know at this point is that she was seeing this guy and her husband found out about it,” Crabb said.

Police said the first shooting may have occurred about 5 a.m. in the 2100 block of Stocker Street in Pomona when residents reported hearing gunshots. But the wife’s body wasn’t found until 6:25 a.m. in her frontyard. Police said she had been shot several times.

Police were still trying to piece together a timeline Thursday, but Marcial Arreola apparently drove to Pacoima where his wife worked at Truth Hardware in the 12600 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. He followed Kraut inside the gated complex about 7:20 a.m. and shot him in the head once at close range, said Det. Ray Broker of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division.

Authorities believe the gunman then drove back to Pomona, where he committed suicide in Weber Street Park in the 1000 block of North Weber Street. His body was found shortly before 10 a.m.

Police did not think anyone else was involved in the shootings, and they recovered a handgun they believe was used.

Kraut had worked at the hardware supply company for 24 years, most recently as the plant manager. Elvia Arreola was a 17-year employee, working as the plastics supervisor.

Employees, upset about the slayings, were told they didn’t have to report to work today, said company Vice President and General Manager Tim Pelton.

“Thursday was a very sad day for our company,” he said. “We lost two of our valuable co-workers. Steve was an integral part of our operations and his contributions will be missed. Elvia’s contributions will also be missed.”

The Arreolas had lived in Fontana before separating and had four children, according to court records.