Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Valdemoro linked to 3 other murders in Northern California.

A BIZARRE series of events led to a high-speed car chase and the shooting of Filipino suspect Efren Valdemoro, 38 by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The incident happened inside the Ranch 99 market in Richmond on Tuesday, August 31 when the suspect refused to drop the meat cleaver he was holding.

According to authorities, Valdemoro was wanted for the murder of Ricardo Sales, 73 years old and a Filipino security guard, who was found beaten to death in his home at 3:15pm on August 28, says a report from The San Francisco Chronicle.

Frederick Sales, a nursing aide and Ricardo’s son, has been reported missing since the body of his father was discovered. Investigators are concerned for his safety and are still seeking his whereabouts.

According to Michelle Harrington, Hercules police spokeswoman, Valdemoro had a tiff with Ricardo and Frederick on August 22. The argument became so heated that the police had to intervene and break it up.

The Saleses had been renting a room in the home owned by Valdemoro’s girlfriend, Cindy Tran, 46, who was found dead on the passenger seat of the Cadillac Escalade used by the suspect during the pursuit. Tran, who suffered severe head and neck injuries, called a relative on August 31 after she was kidnapped by Valdemoro from a salon in Vallejo, CA.

Authorities said that the spat between Valdemoro and the Saleses was brought about by Valdemoro’s suspicions that there was a romantic affair going on between Tran and either Ricardo or Frederick.