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A Turlock man was arrested in connection with the killing of a Hollister man who was found in the trunk of his vehicle on Hwy 152 near the San Luis Reservoir, law enforcement officials announced during an Oct. 21 press conference.
Manuel Salceda, 39, was arrested at a gas station in Woodland, California on Oct. 11 and was booked into the Yolo County jail before being transferred to a Merced County jail five days later, according to CHP Central Division Chief Damon Gilmore.
Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira said Salceda faces multiple charges including first-degree murder of Javier Becerril Jr, 42, and being a felon in possession of a weapon.
“We believe that there was planning that went into this horrific crime and it is one of the most calculated and callous murders we have seen in Merced County in recent memory,” Silveira said while offering scant additional details on the case.
Becerril, who worked as a Door Dash driver, was found dead on July 9 in his Tesla, which was parked on Pacheco Pass, and according to the Merced County Coroner’s office, he died of a gunshot wound to the neck.
At the news release, Gilmore revealed Becerril had been physically assaulted and shot before being placed in the trunk.
Gilmore said Salceda was arraigned on Oct. 20. A Merced County Superior Court clerk told BenitoLink that Salceda’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 and that he had retained a private lawyer.
Silveira said Salceda is facing 75 years to life in prison because of his criminal record, which includes a 2010 felony conviction for criminal threats. She added that the conviction was related to a child abuse charge.
Silveira declined to disclose any relationship between Salceda and Becerril but acknowledged they did know each other. She said law enforcement believes the alleged murder was planned and that there was a personal motive for the crime.
She said law enforcement would not provide other details to preserve the rights of all parties involved to a fair trial including how long Becerril was in the trunk.
An anonymous source told BenitoLink that Salceda is Becerril’s former brother-in-law.
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