Mothers Seek Murder Suspect’s Extradition

Three Rialto mothers on Wednesday sought to persuade the Mexican government to arrest and extradite the man suspected of killing their sons.

Alfred Flores, 21, is accused of killing Ricardo Torres, 15, Alexander Ayala, 17, and Jason Van Kleef, 18. The three were last seen leaving their homes March 19. All were found shot to death, two along a rural road in the Lytle Creek area of San Bernardino County and one in a vacant lot in Rialto.

Rebeca Torres, mother of Ricardo and a Mexican citizen, said she was partially satisfied by her meeting Wednesday with Mexican consular officials in downtown Los Angeles. With her at the meeting were Eva Romo, mother of Ayala, and Marilyn Van Kleef, Jason’s mother.

“We just don’t want the Mexican government to put up roadblocks,” Torres said. “I know the [San Bernardino County] government will do its job. It’s the Mexican government I don’t have so much confidence in.”

Fernando Herrera, Mexican consul for legal affairs and human rights, said that if the county agrees not to seek execution, Flores will be arrested and extradited. Otherwise he will be arrested and tried in Mexico, Herrera said.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said they hope it doesn’t come to that. Flores’ description has been given to law enforcement officers at the Mexican border, and detectives hope he will try to reenter the United States.

Mexico has a long-standing policy against extraditing suspects who may be eligible for execution.

Rebeca Torres and Marilyn Van Kleef said neither of their families wants Flores to be executed.

San Bernardino County Dist. Atty. Dennis Stout said he would consider their opposition in making his decision whether to seek the death penalty. But “if everyone felt that was going to be your standard policy, everyone would flee to Mexico,” he said. “We certainly don’t want that happening.”