Location: New London

Incident Date: 4/28/18

Posted by: Media Relations

Detectives Seek Murder Suspect, Person of Interest

Tulare County Sheriff’s Detectives seek information related to the 2018 murder of Paul Abarca in New London. In particular, they are looking for Arturo Alejandro Mascareno, 27, whom they have identified as a suspect in the case; and Jonathan Martinez-Lopez, 30, also known as “Pato,” as a person of interest. Today is the anniversary of Paul Abarca’s murder.

On April 28, 2018, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence in the community of New London. They found Paul Abarca, 60, dead inside the house. Homicide Detectives took over the investigation and later determined that the victim had died from blunt force trauma to the upper body.  It is believed the suspect(s) in this case set his house on fire and fled shortly after. Detectives were able to identify Arturo Mascareno as a suspect in the case.  It is believed Mascareno fled to the Mexican state of Sinaloa, possibly to the city of Guasave.  Also identified is Jonathan Martinez-Lopez, also known as “Pato,” as a person of interest in the case.  It is believed Martinez-Lopez also has ties to the Mexican state of Sinaloa and the Salinas, California area.

This is still an active Murder investigation.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Jose Melendez or Sergeant Hector Rodriguez at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com