America's Most Wanted Fans

HeadMarshal
Assistant Commissioner

Posts: 8,847

Gustavo Araiza & Marco Antonio Ruiz - California - 1995 Apr 7, 2019 12:45:05 GMT -5

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Post by HeadMarshal on Apr 7, 2019 12:45:05 GMT -5

Photo Credits: Los Angeles Police Department

Vital Stats

Suspect: Araiza, Gustavo

Sex: M

Descent: Hispanic

Height: 5'06

Weight: 145

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

Date of Birth: Dec 9, 1976
Current Age: 42 (As of April 7, 2019)

Photo Credits: Los Angeles Police Department

Vital Stats

Name: Marco Antonio Ruiz

DOB: 11/02/1972

Current Age: 49 (As of November 21, 2021)

Height: 5'5

Weight: 140 lbs

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

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On April 16, 1995, authorities say that Gustavo Araiza and Marco Antonio Ruiz, allegedly kidnapped 16-year old rival gang member, Rafael Marron. Rafael was then beaten to death in a park. The suspected motive was a previous assault against the gang that Gustavo belonged to.

On October 28, 1995, Gustavo was in a car when he encountered 18-year old Jorge Gonzalez. Gustavo asked what gang Jorge belonged to and then allegedly killed Jorge with a shotgun blast.

Gustavo and Marco later became fugitives.

Based on crime location, it is advised to contact North Hollywood homicide detectives at 818-623-4075 if you have any information on Gustavo Araiza or Marco Antonio Ruiz's whereabouts.

Moderator Note: Any news-related updates on this case can be forwarded to us at amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form

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Thoughts? As of today, April 7, 2019, it appears that Gustavo Araiza is still at large since he's on the Los Angeles Police Most Wanted page and there was an article done about the case in 2010. However as many of us know, the LAPD Most Wanted site has not actually been updated in the past few years, so if anything has changed about the case, feel free to post it here or contact us through our site form.

www.lapdonline.org/all_most_wanted/most_wanted_view/12763#
www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-27-me-29310-story.html (Mentions the Rafael Marron murder)
patch.com/california/studiocity/most-wanted-gustavo-araiza-sought-in-connection-of-sh9cdd325b59

EDIT (Nov 21, 2021): I determined that Marco Antonio Ruiz is also wanted for the homicide of Rafael Marron.

Last Edit: Nov 21, 2021 9:23:58 GMT -5 by HeadMarshal: Added Information On Marco Antonio Ruiz

HeadMarshal
Assistant Commissioner

Posts: 8,847

Gustavo Araiza & Marco Antonio Ruiz - California - 1995 Mar 30, 2021 8:51:38 GMT -5

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Post by HeadMarshal on Mar 30, 2021 8:51:38 GMT -5

Checked the Los Angeles County Court Records for Gustavo Araiza. As of today, March 30, 2021, the two homicide cases from 1995 have had no movement since they were filed in 1996. Therefore I am concluding that we can confirm Gustavo is currently a wanted fugitive.

In addition, according to Newspapers.com archives, 55 people were killed in gang-related homicides in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley in 1995. Rafael was one of those 55 victims. The Los Angeles Times featured the photos of most of the victims to put a face to gang-related violence during that year.

I do feel that gang-related homicides are being left behind in what appears to be a resurgence of interest in getting cold cases solved. These are still victims who led lives and had relatives who loved them. As with similar cases, we will never know if Rafael Marron could have gotten out of the gang lifestyle since he was only 16 at the time he was killed. I'm not 100% certain if Jorge Gonzalez was also a gang member, but he is also still a victim whose family needs justice.

HeadMarshal
Assistant Commissioner

Posts: 8,847

Gustavo Araiza & Marco Antonio Ruiz - California - 1995 Nov 21, 2021 9:27:51 GMT -5

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Post by HeadMarshal on Nov 21, 2021 9:27:51 GMT -5

Wanted to update that I determined Gustavo's accomplice, Marco Antonio Ruiz is also wanted for the homicide of Rafael Marron. Marco is on the LAPD's new website and has been on their most wanted page since 2000 (according to web.archive.org).

As of today, November 21, 2021, the cases for Gustavo and Marco in the Los Angeles County Court Records database show as "case pending". There have been no updates in Marco's case since 1997. According to the LAPD website, Marco is also a member of the 18th Street gang, which I assume Gustavo is also a member of as well.

www.lapdonline.org/most-wanted/marco-antonio-venegas-ruiz/

Last Edit: Nov 21, 2021 9:31:58 GMT -5 by HeadMarshal