Long Beach police on Wednesday released composite drawings of a man and woman wanted in the kidnapping and killing of a 3-week-old girl and the shooting and wounding of her parents and uncle in North Long Beach.
The abduction of Eliza De La Cruz and the shootings of her family members occurred about 5:50 p.m. Jan. 3 at the family’s home in the 100 block of West 51st Street. The infant’s body was found the following afternoon in a trash bin at a commercial strip mall in the 600 block of Palm Drive in Imperial Beach.
Officers found the shooting victims after being sent to the family’s home on reports of gunfire. The girl’s father was treated and released, but her mother and uncle had to be hospitalized for treatment of serious injuries.
Detectives say they believe the family was targeted, but aren’t sure why. And at this point in the investigation, “a connection between the victims and suspects has yet to be determined,” a police statement said.
Investigators learned that the mother and her daughter got off a bus at Del Amo and Long Beach boulevards about 90 minutes before the crime.
While walking home, a black SUV with large black rims — possibly a 2006 to 2011 Range Rover — pulled up next to them, and the female driver “stopped and inquired about the victim’s baby,” police said.
“After a brief verbal exchange, the victim walked home. Later that day, a male suspect … forced his way into the victim’s home, shooting three adults and kidnapping baby Eliza.”
Police released composite drawings of the gunman and the woman driving the SUV. The gunman was described only as being black or Hispanic with dark skin. The woman was described as black, about 40 years old and “heavyset,” with long, curly black hair.
Detectives also released security video showing the SUV following the bus before the mother and daughter got off, and also showing the mother walking down the street with her baby after getting off the bus.
A $25,000 reward has been offered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Anyone with information was urged to call Long Beach homicide detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. Tips can also be sent via text message by sending “Tipla” plus the information to 274637. Information can also be provided at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
— City News Service