On Monday, July 24th, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a homicide was discovered at a home in the 12200 block of Horley Avenue. This is a residential property with a front and back house. The woman who lives in the front house returned home this afternoon at approximately 5:30 p.m. and found her boyfriend deceased in the backyard of the home. The victim appears to have been stabbed and possibly shot. No further specifics regarding the injuries to the victim will be released due to the pending investigation. The victim’s identity will not be released at this time in order to give the family of the deceased time to notify their other family members.
The rear house is occupied by a woman and her boyfriend. This woman is the sister of the woman who resides in the front house. Based on evidence at the scene and witness statements, detectives believe the boyfriend who resides in the rear house is responsible for this homicide. Though the victim and suspect knew each other, the motive for this killing is still being investigated.
The suspect, who has been identified as Robert Joseph Benitez Jr., 31 years old, was located outside his girlfriend’s parent’s home in the City of Whittier and was arrested without incident. He is being booked for murder.
The investigation is on-going. Anyone with information relating to this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Ron Gee at (562) 904-2331. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Press inquiries may be directed to Sergeant Leigh Lacy at (562) 904-2340.
Reference Case Number 17-54463.
