By james art 
San Bernardino, California (KCAL/KCBS) – Five men have been charged with the death of the California businesswoman. Police say the suspects were hired by the victim’s husband to kill her.
Jessica, Jessica Torres, 44, was fatally shot on January 10 in a parking lot in San Bernardino. Police announced on Tuesday morning at a press conference that the victim’s husband, 53-year-old Sergio, revealed four men to kill her.
“A definite case of hiring murder. There is evidence that shows that the suspects lurked our victim for several days and months before this murder, “said Detective Dominic Martinez of the San Bernardino Police Department.
Police claim that the incident stems from a “controversial divorce” between Torres and the discoveries.
“Jessica was a businesswoman in our community. She was well -known and well -respected by many throughout the community, “said San Bernardino police chief Daren Goodman.
A murder day’s security video shows that Torres is coming out of a restaurant and getting in his car. A small all-terrain vehicle is also an armed passenger, later identified as 31-year-old Gerardo Lamas, goes out and approaches Torres’ car. Torres jumps out of his car. There is a struggle when she hits Lamas with her bag and even grabs the gun. A good Samaritan runs out to help, but then the suspect opens the fire.
“There are a total of nine rounds on the victim,” Martinez said.
The detectives described what happened afterwards after freezing the video.
“Pursuing it around the vehicle, shooting many times over it. Unfortunately, she was struck, slowed her down and the suspect shot her again with a fatal wound, “Martinez said.
Lamas and the Arnoldo brothers and Raynaldo Ruelas, respectively 54 and 37, were arrested on January 16 and the charges were filed by the District Prosecutor’s Office on January 21.
After the police collected more information, additional orders were executed to search for revelations and 42-year-old Juan Perez. Authorities say they were arrested last Thursday.
Police claim that it was initially difficult to find a connection between all suspects and Torres. It is said that Perez manages a company for pallets owned by the victim and her husband while Raynaldo Ruelas worked there.
The court documents indicate all five men assisted in the crime. Investigators say they have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and other evidence to prove their hiring theory.
District prosecutor Jason Anderson says men are charged with murder in three special circumstances, which include lying, financial profit and crime committed in making robbery.
Police say they hope that the arrests will bring a little peace to those who wonder how this could happen at all.
“I pray the efforts of our team of investigators to bring some small measure to close the family and all those affected by it,” Goodman said.
It is envisaged that the suspects will appear in court on March 14.
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