Location: Tijuana, Mexico

Incident Date: 4-6-22

City: Tijuana

Posted by: Media Relations

On Wednesday, 29-year-old Rafael Gama of Delano was taken into custody, with help from Homeland Security and US Marshall’s Office, in Tijuana, Mexico. Gama was wanted in connection to the murder of 28-year-old Jesus Perales-Montalva of Delano, who was shot to death on September 1, 2017 in the area of Ave 24 and Highway 43 in Tulare County.

Rafael was believed to have fled to Mexico shortly after the murder and had been on the run for nearly five years. Rafael was taken into custody without incident and is currently being transported back to Tulare County on a no-bail homicide warrant.

This is still an active investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dave Gutierrez with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (559) 733-6218, or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.