Double Murder Suspect Sought in Rape, Slaying of Ex-Girlfriend

Los Angeles police say Jose Luis Saenz killed two unarmed gang rivals near the Aliso Village housing project and then kidnapped, raped and shot to death his ex-girlfriend--the mother of his child--to keep her from reporting what he did.

Homicide detectives from the LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division are conducting an intensive search for Saenz, 23, whom they described as armed and dangerous.

Police say Saenz fatally shot the two rivals on North Clarence Street on July 25 with an accomplice from the Cuatro Flats street gang.

The acomplice, now 14 years old, later assisted Saenz with the abduction of Sigreta Fernandez, 21, Det. Ben Lovato said Wednesday.

Saenz was the triggerman in all three homicides, he said.

Fernandez was kidnapped from her Aliso Village home Aug. 5, police say, and raped and shot in the home of Saenz’s grandmother in East Los Angeles.

Lovato said Saenz has “vowed to kill police officers if they try to arrest him.” Rival gang members may also be at risk, police say.

The juvenile accomplice has been charged with three counts of murder and is being held at East Lake Juvenile Hall.

Saenz is also suspected in a homicide that took place 1 1/2 years ago, Lovato said.

He did not provide details of that slaying.

Saenz was a resident of the Pico Aliso project who had been evicted along with his family for some unspecified violation, said a Housing Authority official.

Police say they believe Saenz killed Fernandez because she knew about the double murder. “He and his accomplice ran to her residence after the killings,” Lovato said.

“We strongly feel she was going to report him to police.”

Saenz has a tattoo that says “Cuatro” on his left arm, and one that says “Flats” on the right, police said.

He is 5 feet, 11 inches, and weighs about 180 pounds. Police are asking people to call detectives with any information at (213) 526-3011 or (213) 485-2942.