28-year-old man arrested for two Fresno murders, police say

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Friday, January 15, 2021
28-year-old man arrested for two Fresno murders, police say
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection to two Fresno murder cases that occurred last month, police say.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection to two Fresno murder cases that occurred last month, police say.

Jose Verduzco is accused of killing 37-year-old Saul Velazco, who worked as a store clerk at a Valero on Shields and Clovis Avenue in east central Fresno, on December 2.

Investigators say Verduzco entered the store and shot Velazco multiple times before leaving in a truck. A motive for the crime has still not been released.

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Fresno police say Verduzco was also arrested for killing 36-year-old Nicole Saenz, who was killed three days later on December 5.

Saenz was gunned down inside a home on Olive and Hughes Avenues in west central Fresno. Investigators say Verduzco had a dispute with Saenz, but it wasn't clear if the argument happened directly before the shooting.

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Verduzco was charged with murder for both cases. Police say he is a known gang member.

Authorities are still searching for the truck Verduzco used to leave the Valero gas station on December 2. They say it's a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with the license plate: 99021V2. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fresno Police Department.