Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a good Samaritan in Los Angeles County. The victim, Juan Miguel Sanchez, was shot while trying to stop the suspects from stealing a catalytic converter from a neighbor’s car. This tragic incident occurred on February 25 in Inglewood, and it was captured on surveillance video.
The suspects, Wilber Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez, were taken into custody on Thursday. Both men are in the U.S. illegally and have extensive criminal records. Rabanales, a Guatemalan national, has been arrested over 15 times in recent years for various offenses, including gun charges, grand theft, and drug-related crimes. Sanchez has a history of at least a dozen arrests, primarily for similar offenses.
The confrontation that led to Sanchez’s death began when he attempted to intervene as the two men were allegedly stealing the catalytic converter. Reports indicate that he was shot in the chest during this encounter. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a car but were later apprehended at a motel in Cudahy, about 15 miles from Inglewood.
Sanchez’s family is devastated by the loss. His sister, Susana Sanchez, shared that he would have celebrated his 49th birthday on April 4. She described him as a man of faith who never missed Sunday mass and often volunteered at his church. He was the main provider for his family, which includes his wife, who is undergoing chemotherapy, and their two sons.
The community is mourning the loss of a man who was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. As the investigation continues, the family is left to grapple with the sudden and tragic loss of a beloved member.