CLEARLAKE ? Two people have been charged with crimes in connection with the homicide death of Anthony Cruz, 30, who died Sept. 4 from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Arrest warrants were issued Friday for Michael Gil Truscott, 30, of Clearlake; and Carmen Larue Walsh, 40, of Clearlake. Both are in custody.
According to Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain, Truscott, who is being charged with murder, is currently in custody on a parole violation in Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI) State Prison Tracy. “Detectives served the arrest warrant with a bail of $1 million on Truscott and he will be transferred to the Lake County Jail once he has served his time for the parole violation,” he said.
Walsh was arrested on a warrant issued by the Lake County District Attorney”s Office on Friday.
She is being charged with Penal Code No. 32, accessory to a felony. Walsh was booked into Lake County Jail with bail set at $35,000.
“Clearlake Police detectives have dedicated an enormous amount of time to track down leads, gather evidence and interview anyone with information regarding this case,” Chief McClain said. “Their efforts led to the issuance of the arrest warrants for Walsh and Truscott.”
McClain said the investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to pursue physical evidence and potential witnesses. “To insure the District Attorney”s Office is given the opportunity to go forward with this case, no statements regarding potential motive or how the crime was committed will be made.”
Clearlake Police responded to Cruz”s Clearlake residence at approximately 5:03 a.m. Sept. 4 for a report of a gunshot victim.
According to his girlfriend, Cruz was shot when he confronted trespassers on his property who were allegedly attempting to steal marijuana, which she said he used for medicinal purposes. “He went into the bedroom, stuck his head out the window and yelled at them; that”s when someone shot him,” she said.
Cruz was transported from the scene to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake where he was pronounced dead in the Emergency Room.
Cruz”s girlfriend said that the marijuana the individuals were attempting to steal consisted of about six immature plants. Because the plants were immature and those targeted were less accessible than those left undisturbed, she said she doesn”t believe the primary motive in boyfriend”s death was theft. Additionally, she said that Cruz had gotten into a physical altercation about two days prior to his death.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact Clearlake Police Detective Mike Ray at 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
