$25k Reward Offered in Homicide of Joel Ramirez 
On Tuesday night, the San Leandro City Council approved a $25,000 reward for information about the unsolved homicide of 21 year old, San Leandro resident, Joel Ramirez that occurred in December.
On the morning of December 14, 2014 at 9:35am, SLPD responded to the 400 block of Kenilworth Ave., after receiving information about a vehicle parked in a driveway, with its engine running. When police arrived, they found Ramirez deceased in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Initially, police did not release Ramirez’s name, citing an on-going investigation. Today, they believe that 21 year old, Joel Ramirez was the unintended victim in this homicide and was likely misidentified by his killer.
Police learned that Ramirez lived in the 400 block of Kenilworth Ave. with family members in a detached in-law unit to the rear of the main residence.
Joel Ramirez was born and raised in San Leandro. He was a 2012 graduate of San Leandro High School and was attending Chabot College, when he was killed. He worked at San Leandro’s El Torrito Restaurant at the Marina, and had aspirations to pursue a career in law enforcement – specifically serving as a police detective.
Police found that the main residence had been transformed into a large, illegal, clandestine marijuana cultivation operation, which police have determined that Ramirez had no involvement with. Police say that there were 250 marijuana plants inside, valued at approximately $60,000. However, the operation was capable of producing up to $230,000 worth of marijuana each year. They do not believe that anyone lived in the main residence.
“Our detectives have explored several motives surrounding this case. We have no information showing that Joel did anything to deserve this. Our focus of the investigation has been directed towards the marijuana operation and those connected to it,” said Lt. Robert McManus. “From what we have learned, Joel was someone who you would want living next door to you.”
Detectives are searching for leads in the case that will hopefully identify the suspect responsible for this senseless act. Police believe that the $25,000 reward will prompt someone with information to come forward to them. The payment of the reward is specific: it will be paid to the first person with information that leads to the arrest and criminal charging of the suspect responsible for Joel’s murder.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230.
Information may also be submitted anonymously by:
· Phone: Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278
· Text Message: Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777
Joel’s neighbors have established a memorial scholarship in his name that will be awarded to a San Leandro High School senior. For more information, please visit the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation’s website at www.slsf.us.
MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE
For crime prevention tips please go to the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.
Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious and criminal activity to the Police. The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those who are committing crimes. The personal safety of the community is paramount. We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the Police. This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool. Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department. Thank you for being a force multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.
PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:
DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 02/18/15 – 3:30pm
INCIDENTS: Reward Offered in Kenilworth Ave. Homicide
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER: Lt. Robert McManus
TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232
EMAIL: [email protected]
DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 12/14/14 – 9:35am
ARREST LOCATION(S): N/A
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): Det. Steven Cesaretti
SUSPECT(S): Unknown
Address/Location
San Leandro Police Department
901 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA 94577
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-577-2740
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP SLPOLICE followed by your message, to 888777
