The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man in connection with the homicide that happened early Aug. 6 in Castroville.
Just after 2am that morning, deputies responded to a report of a stabbing in the area of Merritt Street and Preston Street. They found a man suffering from an apparent stab wound.
Fire and ambulance personnel provided lifesaving care, and the victim was taken to a local hospital where 30-year-old Fernando Flores Ruiz of Seaside later died from his injuries.
As detectives continued their investigation, they identified 28-year-old Robert Lee Jeffrey of Monterey as the suspect.
Around 5pm the same day, detectives observed Jeffrey in the 400 block of Hannon Avenue in Monterey where he was arrested without incident.
Jeffrey was charged with murder and booked into Monterey County Jail in lieu of $1.02 million.
The investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone in and around the area of Merritt Street and Preston Street to review surveillance cameras, doorbell cameras, or other video footage that may have captured the stabbing or anyone with information to call Detective Jesus Reyes at 831.755.3805.
