DOWNEY - A 49-year-old man found shot dead in Beaumont on July 9 was identified this week as Downey resident Pedro Vazquez.Police have arrested Ernesto Garcia-Vega, 32, of Compton, Israel Benitez-Mariscal, 33, of Paramount, and Maria Ayon, 31, of Downey, in connection with the shooting. A patrol office was investigating "suspicious activity" between two cars at about 11:30 p.m. on July 9. Police pulled over a white Nissan Maxima that was attempting to leave and found Vasquez's body in the driver's seat of the second vehicle. Vasquez had been shot three times in the head. The three suspects were scheduled to have their first court date Wednesday in Riverside.

********** Published: July 21, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 14