California man suspected in triple killing is arrested in Eagle County

A suspect in a triple-homicide in California has been arrested in Colorado.

Louis Gabriel Lucero, 35, of Victorville, Calif., is a suspect in the murders of Erlinda Villareal, 42, also of Victorville, and two boys, ages 9 and 12, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.

About 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor-vehicle theft in Dotsero. A suspect in the stolen vehicle was spotted driving west on Interstate 70 at “very high speeds,” according to a sheriff’s news release.

The vehicle headed south on Colorado 24 through Minturn, and deputies’ pursuit ended near Red Cliff, where the stolen vehicle crashed. The suspect, identified as Lucero, fled on foot but was caught quickly.

Lucero has been booked into the Eagle County jail and is being held without bail. Lucero is wanted on a San Bernardino County warrant on suspicion of first-degree murder.

About 10:55 a.m. Wednesday deputies in Victorville were called to a residence where Lucero lived with Villareal, according to the San Bernardino sheriff. They were described as being in a relationship. They were not at the residence, and authorities began looking for them.

About 5:35 p.m. Wednesday, a person off-roading in the desert in the Apple Valley area discovered three bodies and notified authorities.

Detectives in California suspect Lucero of killing the victims at an unknown location and leaving the bodies in the desert. California authorities are seeking to extradite Lucero in connection with the discovery of the three bodies.