ESCONDIDO
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Four people have been arrested and police are seeking a fifth suspect after two separate homicides in Escondido over the weekend.
Three teenagers were arrested Sunday in the fatal shooting of Eduardo Aranda, 15, early Saturday, Escondido police said. Osiel Reyes, 18, and two juveniles ages 16 and 17, all of Escondido, were taken into custody, Lt. Bob Benton said.
Police are asking for help in finding Edwin Rangel, 18, of Escondido. He was described as Latino, 5 feet 5 inches and 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, Benton said.
Benton declined to say what led police to make the three arrests Sunday.
Aranda was shot about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses said a red compact car drove near several juveniles who were walking north on Spruce Street near Seventh Avenue. Several shots were fired from the car. One bullet struck Aranda. No one else was injured.
Anyone with information about the case or the location of Rangel is asked to call (760) 839-4404, the Anonymous Tip Line at (760) 743-TIPS (8477) or use the department's Web site, escondido.org/police.
Also on Sunday, a man was arrested in connection with the death of Antonio Hernandez, 40, who was shot Saturday night, police said.
Agustin Ortuno, 27, was taken into custody after officers followed and stopped the car he was riding in on Carroll Canyon Road off Interstate 15, police said.
Hernandez's body was found in an alley near Second Avenue and Ash Street about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses told police that Hernandez was shot in the head after arguing with another man.
Matthew Rodriguez:
(760) 737-7577; matthew.rodriguez@uniontrib.com
