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3 From Texas Arrested in Connection with April 29 Murder in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana – The Lake Charles Police Department reported on July 7, 2022, that following a lengthy investigation, the LCPD had arrested three suspects in connection with the April 2022 double homicide at an apartment complex in the 500 block of West LaGrange Street. On Friday, April 29, 2022, at approximately 12:45 a.m., LCPD Officers were dispatched to the 500 Block of West Lagrange Street in reference to gunfire in the area. Officers arrived and discovered two deceased male subjects inside an apartment. The two men had multiple gunshot wounds.

Detectives from the Lake Charles Police Department were assigned to the investigation, and the two victims were identified as Able Garcia Jr., 32, and Pedro Oswaldo Duarte Rangel, 36. Both men were natives of Houston, Texas. Detectives were able to establish a timeline and begin the process of identifying suspects after viewing hours of video surveillance, obtaining statements, and using other investigative tools. Detectives learned during the course of this thorough investigation that the victims and suspects knew each other because all parties lived in the Houston, Texas area prior to the victims temporarily relocating to Lake Charles approximately six months prior to the crime.

In the hours leading up to the incident, the suspects drove to Lake Charles in a gray Nissan Altima from the Houston area with the intent of committing a drug-related homicide, according to LCPD detectives. After committing the crime, the suspects immediately returned to Houston.

LCPD Detectives obtained three arrest warrants for the following suspects on June 1, 2022:

Miguel Angel Perez Cervantes, 33 of Houston, Texas

• DOB 03/16/1989
• Charges: One count of First Degree Murder
• Bond: $1.4 million, set by Judge Tony Fazzio

Pedro Ramiro Reyes Valdez (24) of Houston, Texas

• DOB 06/16/1998
• Charges: One count of First Degree Murder
• Bond: $1.4 million, set by Judge Tony Fazzio

Juan Antonio Vasquez Flores (53) of Houston, Texas

• DOB 10/25/1968
• Charges: One count of Criminal Conspiracy to First Degree Murder
• Bond: $1.2 million, set by Judge Tony Fazzio

Lake Charles Police Department Detectives, SWAT Team Members, and Evidence Officers traveled to Houston on July 6, 2022, and made contact with Houston Police Department Detectives and SWAT Team Members, as well as US Border Patrol, US Marshals, and ICE, to serve the arrest warrants and collect evidence.
Pedro Valdez was apprehended on a job site in League City, Texas, around 10:15 a.m. Juan Flores was apprehended at a Houston residence at 10:33 a.m., and Miguel Cervantes was apprehended at a Houston sports bar.

All three suspects were taken to the Harris County Joint Processing Center and will be returned to Lake Charles to face charges.

According to LCPD, this investigation is still ongoing. Sgt. Hope Sanders and Sgt. Dustin Fontenot are the lead detectives. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact them at 337-491-1311.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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