POMONA – A Long Beach man pleaded guilty to killing a random woman in the vengeful search for his 
estranged wife, whom he also shot to death nearly three years ago.

Miguel Angel Prieto, 46, pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, crimes that spanned three months.

“Given the senseless and brazen crimes committed by Miguel Angel Prieto, he will be sentenced to two consecutive life sentences,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

Prieto shot a man and woman inside a vehicle parked on an industrial side street in the 1500 block of West McKinley Avenue in Azusa February 9, 2018. Prieto apparently believed the woman to be his estranged wife, Maria Perez. The man survived his wounds, the woman did not, prosecutors previously said.

The woman was identified as Rocio Sandoval, 38.

>>READ THE FULL STORY: Man Charged in Ex-Wife’s Slaying Likely Connected to Attempted Double Murder in Azusa

April 7, 2018, Prieto ventured to the restaurant of Perez’s uncle in Long Beach and shot at a woman inside the restaurant he believed to be Perez’s aunt.

Prieto went to Perez’s Covina apartment April 11 and it was there that she was shot multiple times and killed, prosecutors previously said.

Witnesses and neighbors were able to identify Prieto as the gunman. He was located in Long Beach hours after his estranged wife’s slaying and arrested.

>>READ THE FULL STORY: Long Beach man Arrested, Accused of Murdering Ex-Wife in Covina Apt.

Sentencing is scheduled on March 3 in Department T of Pomona Superior Court.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA – A witness to an armed robbery helped police locate the suspect Monday, police said.

A passerby saw an armed suspect point a handgun at a woman around 10:40 a.m. February 1. The suspect reached into the victim’s sweater pocket and take a cell phone, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers searched the area after the witness called 911. A suspect was detained nearby in the 300 block of West Badillo Street and the suspect ran from officers. He jumped over fences until reaching an apartment complex, Covina Police said.

The suspect walked out of the complex after officers established a containment. The suspect ran again and into Covina Park where people were exercising and was detained. A loaded clip for a 9mm handgun was seized from the suspect, Covina Police said.

An El Monte K9 assisted with a weapon search and a handgun was found near some bushes.

A witness helped Covina officers identify the suspect, 18-year-old Angel Vasquez of Baldwin Park. He was booked on suspicion of possessing narcotics while armed with a firearm, resisting arrest, evading or obstructing police and misappropriation of found property.