SWAT team in Los Angeles captures father and son in connection to 3 cold-case shooting deaths

A father and son were arrested in Los Angeles in connection with three cold case murders dating between 2014 and 2018, authorities said.

On Sept. 23 around 4:30 a.m. a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department SWAT team served a search warrant and stormed a residence in East L.A. Authorities took into custody Anthony Velasquez, 31, and his father, 51-year-old Manuel Velasquez, KABC-TV reported.

Anthony Velasquez is suspected of shooting to death Jesus Avalos, 33, in February 2014; Eduardo Robles, 38, in July 2015; and Amanda Nicole “Nikki” Lopez, 27, in April 2018.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the son had a “friendship” with all three victims. “It seems to us that at some point, their relationships went awry,” Lt. Hugo Reynaga said, declining to comment further on the suspect's relationship with the three he is accused of killing.

Manuel Velasquez was arrested on suspicion of accessory to the crimes, and detectives reportedly believe he was at the crime scenes of all three victims and allegedly may have acted as the getaway driver at least once.

“Usually fathers protect their kids — well, I guess he protected Anthony from getting arrested,” Lt. Reynaga said.

Authorities had announced a reward for information in the three cold cases and numerous tipsters and witnesses came forward with allegations against the Velasquezes.