Detectives Arrest Suspect Accused In 1992 Cold Case Murder Of Arvin Man

NEWBERRY SPRINGS (CBSLA.com) — A 49-year-old man was in custody Friday for allegedly murdering an Arvin man back in 1992.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Gabino Mondragon Morales of Phoenix, Ariz., was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail for the murder of 25-year-old Fidelmar Meza Garcia.

Around 11:00 p.m. on Jan. 11, 1992, witnesses said two armed men kidnapped an adult Hispanic male from his residence, deputies said.

The following day, Garcia was found shot to death on the side of Newberry Springs Road, about 170 miles South of his home.

During that year, detectives said they interviewed family members, friends and witnesses regarding the murder, however, the case went cold.

Prior to his death, Garcia lived in the U.S. for several years, working in the fruit fields to support his wife and child in Mexico.

On July 3, deputies reopened the case and were able to identify, locate and interview more witnesses. Evidence from their investigation resulted in the identification of Morales as the suspect in the murder case.

Detectives said they traveled to Arizona on Oct. 8 and arrested Morales on murder charges. On Thursday, he was transferred into the West Valley Detention Center in San Bernardino County.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact detectives at (909) 387-3589.