6 days ago
2
A man suspected of fatally shooting a stranger on the Pacific Beach waterfront more than three years ago before going on the lam and getting jailed for alleged violent crimes in Texas was extradited to San Diego this week on a murder charge, authorities said Friday.
Felipe Villegas, 30, was booked into San Diego Central Jail on Wednesday on suspicion of gunning down Mary Garcia, 65.
On Friday afternoon, Villegas pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court to murder, and to allegation of using a firearm in the killing. He remains in custody without bail and faces up to 50 years to life in state prison if convicted.
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 13, 2022, patrol officers responding to a report of an injured person found Garcia on the beach near the western terminus of Reed Avenue with several people giving her aid. Paramedics took her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Later that day, San Diego police detectives arrested the victim’s son on suspicion of shooting her. He pleaded not guilty to murder and spent a week in jail before authorities identified Villegas as Garcia’s alleged killer, dropped all charges against the son and freed him.
Three days after the death of Garcia, Villegas was arrested in Pecos, Texas, on suspicion of armed robbery and carjacking.
Villegas’ extradition to San Diego remained on hold for nearly 42 months as the out-of-state criminal case proceeded, officials said.
Police have disclosed...
English (US) ·