Sheriff's Detectives Make Arrest in Guadalupe Homicide

Guadalupe / Santa Maria - August 20th, 2008

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Guadalupe Police Department and Fire responded to a reported medical aid call at Roy’s Liquor and Market located at 770 Guadalupe Street. Police Officers arriving on scene found a lone male lying on the ground in front of the market, an apparent victim of a stabbing. Officers determined that the victim was involved in an altercation which escalated to a stabbing. The stabbing victim, 24 year old James Michael Christie, was transported to Marian Hospital in Santa Maria where he died as a result of his injuries.

The Guadalupe Police Department requested the assistance of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department to conduct the murder investigation in conjunction with the Guadalupe Police Department. Through this joint effort, the investigation and information obtained allowed for Detectives to identify four suspects who are wanted for their involvement in this homicide; Arturo Franco Palomar Jr. (25 years), Jose Juan Morales Jr. (27 years), Francisco Javier Rodriguez Jr. (30 years), and Leonel Adrian Torres (24 years).

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, Guadalupe Police Officers on patrol in the early morning hours observed Jose J. Morales Jr. exiting his residence, and were able to take him into custody without incident. He was later booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for Murder in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bail.


***Update***Arturo Franco Palomar Jr. was taken into custody August 20th, 2008 after a brief pursuit. Detectives arrested him without incident as he fled from them on hwy 166 and later pulled over where he was arrested. He was booked in lieu of $1 million bail.

At this time, Francisco J. Rodriguez Jr., and Leonel Adrian Torres are still outstanding. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department and the Guadalupe Police Department are asking the public to contact either the Sheriff’s Department at (805) 934-6170, or the Guadalupe Police Department during business hours at (805) 343-2122 (after hours call 911), should they have any information as to the whereabouts of those outstanding, or information relative to this investigation.

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Fransisco Javier Rodriguez Jr., 30

Leonel Adrian Torres, 24