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SALINAS, Calif. -- After a nearly year-long investigation, Salinas police said Tuesday that they arrested a man who ordered the murder of a rival gang member at a house party.
Police said Ivan Haro instructed another gang member to shoot Jorge Ramirez Medina Jr. at a party on the 1700 block of Tahoe Drive on July 16, 2011, after a fight. It's unclear how police established the connection to Haro, but the investigation is still ongoing. The shooter remains on the loose.
Haro was arrested Tuesday without incident at Rancho Cielo, a learning and social services center for underserved and at-risk youth in Monterey County. Susie Brusa, executive director at Rancho Cielo, said Haro was a new applicant and it seemed he wanted to do the right thing.
"We give opportunities to those who want to make a change," said Brusa. "But we don't harbor criminals. If he's guilty, he must face consequences. If he is not guilty, we're happy to give him a chance."
Haro was booked into the Monterey County Jail on homicide and gang enhancement charges.
Anyone with information related to the crime or who may have been a witness is encouraged to contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".
