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Oxnard Man Held in Death of Transient

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From a Times Staff Writer

A 25-year-old Oxnard man suspected of fatally beating a transient to death over the weekend is expected to appear in court this afternoon.

Pablo Chavez Garcia is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. for arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court. He was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of killing Pedro Lopez Ortiz, 41, an Oxnard transient. Bail was set at $1 million, officials said.

Garcia and a female companion returned to his residence in the 400 block of East Bard Road about 11:15 p.m. Saturday and found Ortiz sleeping in front of the condominium, authorities said.

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“The motive appears to be his anger over the homeless man sleeping in front of his house,” said David Keith, spokesman for the Oxnard Police Department.

The couple left the scene before police arrived. Ortiz was taken to a local hospital, where he died, Keith said.

Garcia was located before dawn at the nearby home of a relative and arrested.

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