Authorities Wednesday identified a transient wanted in the stabbing death of a man who had been helping an Auto Club member — reportedly the suspect’s mother — with a vehicle problem in Pico Rivera.
The suspect — 39-year-old Tobias Ruben Cabrera — fled on a bicycle following the 4:30 p.m. attack Tuesday in the 8400 block of Buhman Avenue, the sheriff’s department reported.
Investigators circulated a photo of Cabrera, who frequents the Pico Rivera area. He is believed to be in possession of the knife used in the killing and “should be considered armed and dangerous,” according to a sheriff’s statement.
The victim died near the crime scene after he sought help at nearby homes. His name was withheld by the coroner’s office pending notification of his relatives, but various news agencies identified him as Raymond Zabala, 35.
According to ABC7, Zabala worked for Petra Towing in Montebello, and had gone to assist a woman whose car battery had died. The wanted man is the woman’s son, Channel 7 reported.
“Everyone knows who it is already,” Zabala’s co-worker Kenny Aparicio told Channel 7. “The police know who it is. It’s just a matter of time until they get him.”
Zabala and his wife had been married about a year, and had just had their first child, Channel 7 reported.
Anyone knowing the suspect’s whereabouts was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
— City News Service