Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Friday, February 8, 2019/9:18 am

INCIDENT: Homicide Investigation

LOCATION: 32200 block of Avenue E. Yucaipa 

SUSPECTS: 15-year-old female a resident of Yucaipa 
14-year-old female a resident of Yucaipa 

VICTIM: Rueben Franco Jr., age 24 a resident of Cherry Valley 

SUMMARY: 
On Friday, February 8, 2019, at approximately 9:18 am., deputies from the Yucaipa Police Department went to a residence in the 32200 block of Avenue E. while conducting an investigation regarding a 14-year-old run-away female. Once inside the residence, deputies located a deceased male, later identified as Rueben Franco Jr., with an apparent gunshot wound. 

Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail responded to the location to conduct the investigation. Detectives learned that a 15-year-year old female was missing from the residence and believed to be with the 14-year-old run-away female. The victim’s vehicle was also gone from the residence.

At approximately 1:35 pm, Homicide Detectives were contacted by officers of the Buckeye Police Department, in Arizona and advised they had detained two female juveniles after responding to a gas station in Buckeye following the report of a driver colliding into a gas pump at the location. Officers also learned the involved vehicle had been reported stolen out of San Bernardino County. Homicide Detectives responded to Buckeye, took custody of the juveniles and transported them back to San Bernardino County. They were later booked into Juvenile Hall in San Bernardino for the Murder of Rueben Franco Jr. 

No additional information is being released at this time. Updates will be issued as new information becomes available for release. The motive is not known at this time. 

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Mike Cleary at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com. 

Refer: Detective Mike Cleary or Sergeant Mike Walker 

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail

Phone No. (909)387-3589

Case No. 141900419 H#2019-011

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department