A United Parcel Service driver and the man accused of shooting him to death as the victim sat inside his brown work truck on Thursday, May 16, both worked at the company and lived in Aliso Viejo and appeared to know each other, but police say they still weren’t clear as to what led to the killing.
Irvine police arrested Rhean Fontanoza, 46, after surrounding his silver pickup truck in Orange for around two hours later in the day, eventually firing tear gas inside to help force him out.
Fontanoza then was taken to hospital, said Sgt. Kim Davies, an Irvine police spokeswoman.
He was not being treated because of the tear gas, Davies said, but was admitted to the hospital “for medical issues that have nothing to do with the arrest.”
Davies said detectives had not yet interviewed Fontanoza. But police were able to determine that Fontanoza knew the victim, 50-year-old Expedito Cuesta De Leon, who was shot about 3 p.m. in an industrial area near Chrysler and Fleming.
“They are acquaintances,” Davies said. “We just don’t know the extent to which they knew each other.”
A pair of Irvine SWAT vehicles pinned the silver pickup on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange just after 4 p.m., while officers on foot surrounded the truck from a hillside above.
The authorities found the suspect with the help of witness statements and surveillance footage from at least one business.
Around 6:15 p.m., police shot tear gas into the cabin and used a K-9 to help detain the suspect.
Detectives had not yet interviewed Fontanoza as he remained recovering in the hospital. Davies said police didn’t yet have much information on Fontanoza, including his occupation or whether he had any significant criminal record.
Police only know Fontanoza is married, apparently without children. Property records indicated he has lived in Aliso Viejo since around 2007.
Staff writer Nelson Espinal contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.