INGLEWOOD, CA — Two men, Wilber Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez, have been arrested in connection with the February 25 murder of Juan Miguel Sanchez, a good Samaritan who was fatally shot while attempting to stop the suspects from stealing his neighbor’s catalytic converter.
The crime, which was caught on surveillance video, occurred in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood. Rabanales, a Guatemalan national, has been arrested 15 times in recent years for various offenses, including grand theft, drug charges, and burglary. His criminal history also includes multiple arrests for catalytic converter theft.
Sanchez, who has also been arrested multiple times for crimes like grand theft, burglary, and drug possession, was involved in the fatal shooting that took place after the victim confronted the suspects.
The two men fled the scene but were later captured at a motel in Cudahy, located about 15 miles east of Inglewood.
Juan Miguel Sanchez’s family is devastated by his loss. His sister, Susana Sanchez, spoke to the media, saying, “You took a big part of our heart.” Juan would have turned 49 on April 4. He was the sole provider for his family, having recently been promoted at his job cleaning up after the Palisades Fire. His sister added that he was a man of strong faith, never missing mass, and volunteering at his church on Sunday mornings.
The tragic loss has left his wife, who is undergoing chemotherapy, and his two sons heartbroken.
