A 17-year-old male was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murdering Marcelino Calixto Pastrana behind a Castroville market on June 26.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said a search is ongoing for a second juvenile suspect who they believe to be armed and dangerous.
On July 16, Sheriff’s detectives, assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service, located and arrested the 17-year-old male juvenile at an apartment on the 10600 Block of Axtell Street in Castroville. He has been booked into the Monterey County Juvenile Hall on charges of murder, attempted murder, attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. He also faces a gang enhancement charge.
Law enforcement officials served search warrants at locations in Castroville and Watsonville. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit (MPSRU) and Watsonville Police Department assisted Monterey County Sheriff’s Office detectives in executing these warrants, during which they found a firearm.
A second suspect in the murder investigation has been identified as Isaiah Rodriguez, 17. In the interest of public safety, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is releasing his name, photograph and physical description.
Rodriguez is wanted for murder. He is described as Hispanic, 6-foot, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He remains at large.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Christina Scariot at 831.253.6076 or Detective Sergeant James Day at 831.597.0065. Information can be provided anonymously by going to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office web page, mcso.countyofmonterey.gov/anonymous-crime-tip and selecting “Submit a Crime Tip.”
