Lake County >> Police have arrested the cousin of a man who was found dead in Finley Sunday night on suspicion of murder.
Responding to a call, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered a body, later identified as that of 78-year-old Manuel Guzman, at about 10:15 p.m. in the area of Stone Drive near Scully Packing Company.
According to Lt. Steve Brooks, deputies found Guzman lying on the ground outside of a pickup truck that appeared to have been involved in a crash, and detectives who responded to the scene believe he was possibly forced off the roadway by another vehicle. As the investigation continued overnight, law enforcement officers also found what appeared to be sharp force injuries on Guzman’s chest and abdomen.
Upon further investigation, detectives discovered that Guzman, of Kelseyville, had left the Konocti Vista Casino in his pickup on Sunday at approximately 9:15 p.m., Brooks stated. With the assistance of casino personnel, detectives were able to develop a suspect and the suspect’s vehicle description. The suspect was identified as Manuel Guzman’s cousin, 69-year-old Salvador Flores Guzman of Finley.
The Sheriff’s Office received a tip at about 4:15 p.m. Monday that Salvador Guzman was at Lakeside County Park in his vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and booked in the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and murder without bail.
“I am greatly appreciative of the hard work and efforts of both Lake County Sheriff’s Office personnel and the staff at Konocit Vista Casino,” Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said. “Their cooperative efforts led to a quick resolution in this investigation.”
