In a terrible tragedy that struck Irvine, California, on the afternoon of Thursday, the 16th of May, a UPS driver in the city was shot and killed while in his truck on a break. The incident occurred at about 3 p.m. near Chrysler and Bendix in the city, as the Irvine Police Department announced on Facebook over the days following the tragedy.
Initially, the police announced, “We are investigating an incident where a man was shot near Chrysler and Bendix. If you saw anything suspicious in the area around 3:00 p.m., please call (949) 724-7200. IPD PIO is on the way to the scene.” Then, following that up with a second Thursday night post, the Irvine police posted, “We are investigating a homicide near Chrysler and Fleming, with one victim who was shot. Witnesses to the incident are asked to call (949) 724-7200. Irvine Pd PIO is on the scene. #irvine #irvinepolice #cityofirivne”
And, in still another Thursday evening post, the police announced that the suspect in the case had been arrested, posting, “Irvine PD SWAT just arrested the man suspected of committing the homicide that occurred earlier today. The arrest took place near Santiago Canyon and the Toll Road.”
More details came out the following afternoon in a news release, also posted to the Irvine Police Department’s Facebook page. In that news release, the department first identified the subject in the case, saying, “The Irvine Police Department (IPD) arrested 46-year-old Rhean Fontanoza, of Aliso Viejo, for the murder of a UPS driver.”
Continuing, the news release noted, “Yesterday, at about 3:00 p.m., IPD responded to the area of Fleming and Chrysler after multiple reports of gunshots being heard. Officers arrived on scene and located a UPS driver slumped over in the driver’s seat of his delivery truck. Officers pulled him from the vehicle and began life saving measures. The driver suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died from his injuries. He was identified as Expedito Cuesta De Leon, 50, of Aliso Viejo.”
Continuing, the department described how the shooting occurred, noting that a masked gunman pulled up and opened fire. They said, “Surveillance footage captured the suspect vehicle pulling alongside the UPS truck then fleeing the scene on Goodyear towards Jeronimo. The vehicle was a silver Honda Ridgeline 4-door truck with a black truck bed liner and black rims. The driver and solo occupant was described as a white male wearing dark clothing, a dark colored baseball cap and a face mask.”
Then, explaining how the suspect was found and arrested, the department provided, “A countywide broadcast was given, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department located a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle on Santiago Canyon Road shortly before 4:00 p.m. IPD officers responded to the scene and confirmed it was the suspect vehicle. The IPD Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) arrived at the scene, and Fontanoza was eventually taken into custody for homicide.”
Concluding, the department asked for help in determining the motive and helping it discover further details about the incident, saying, “Although the motive is still unknown, it appears Fontanoza and De Leon were acquaintances. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Craig Voors at 949-724-7131 or email [email protected].”
Watch the police arrest the suspect and discuss the horrific incident with local media outlet ABC 7 here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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