WHO:
Wilshire Homicide Detectives

WHAT:
News Conference

WHEN:
Monday, March 15, 2004
11:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Wilshire Police Station
4861 West Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles ( In front)

Los Angeles: On Thursday, February 19, 2004 at about 9:00 a.m., Wilshire Area Patrol officers conducted a welfare check as requested by Mr. Santos family. When they arrived, they found the dead body of 38 year-old Gilberto Santos.

The investigation has revealed that during the late evening hours of Sunday,

February 15, 2004, and the early morning hours of Monday February 16, 2004, the victim, Mr. Santos was assaulted inside his apartment located in the 1400 block of South Bronson Avenue. Unbeknownst to Mr. Santos’ Family, he received fatal injuries during the assault and died inside his home.

Additionally, detectives discovered property of Mr. Santos missing. On 02-25-04 and 02-26-04, the credit cards belonging to Mr. Santos were used in the Hollywood and South Los Angeles Area. Detectives obtained video of the possible suspects purchasing items with the cards.

The family of Mr. Santos will be attending the conference and photos of Mr. Santos will be available for the media.

A copy of the videotape and an information sheet with the description of the possible suspects will be provided at the news conference.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Wilshire Homicide Detectives, at 213-473-0444. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This news advisory was prepared by Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213 485-3586.

This news advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.