Man Shot to Death While Washing His Car; Police Arrest 3

A San Fernando couple and a teenage boy from Cudahy have been arrested in the killing and robbery of a man who was washing his car late Saturday.

Antonio Ramirez Cruz, 48, of Panorama City was at a self-service carwash at 14598 Van Nuys Blvd. about 11:40 p.m. Saturday when a man and a teen jumped out of a GMC Suburban and pointed guns at him, Los Angeles police said.

Police Sgt. Loren Farell said Armando Gomez, 23, and a 17-year-old whose name was withheld robbed Cruz, shot him several times and fled. Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Cruz is survived by his wife, a 13-year-old son, 26-year-old daughter and 30-year-old stepson.

During the shooting, an errant bullet struck Gomez’s girlfriend, Claudia Venegas, 22, in the leg, Farell said.

Police later found Gomez, Venegas and the teen in a Suburban matching the one described by a witness. They found a rifle and other evidence, Farell said.

All three were booked on suspicion of murder with no bail.

Venegas was taken to a hospital and placed under police guard. Gomez, complaining of an unrelated illness, was booked at the Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center’s Jail Ward; the teen was taken to Sylmar Juvenile Hall.