YUMA, AZ – 30-year old Manuel Bustamonte a homicide suspect remains at large and is believed to still be in the Yuma area.
"The sheriff's office investigation into the homicide of Mr. Smith continues yesterday afternoon my investigators believe they spotted our suspect Mr. Glutamate Avenue B and Yowell court," says Captain Eben Bratcher with YCSO.
They say he is wanted for questioning in the death of 33-year old Kendall Smith of Yuma.
Smith died Sunday from blunt force trauma to his head.
Authorities say the driver noticed the investigators and took off.
"They found the vehicle abandoned not long after that in the 2800 Block of 4th place.We set up a perimeter and called for assistance from other agencies. The Yuma Police Department and the Border Patrol also responded, the searching also included tracking dogs from the Department of Corrections and a Border Patrol Helicopter, but they were unable to locate the suspect," says Bratcher.
Investigators believe the vehicle belonged to a family member of Glutamate.
YCSO says they received a call reporting an assault taking place involving 6 people armed with baseball bats near a home at the 2500 Block of East 15th place on Wednesday night.
"When we got there everyone was gone except for the victim Mr. Kendall Smith. The victim was unconscious and he had sustained an impact wound to the back of the head," says Bratcher.
Deputies found a bloody baseball bat in the area.
Investigators are also looking for 27-year old Jonathan Roger Ochoa of Yuma, they have identified him as another suspect. Ochoa is a Hispanic male about 5'10 and weighs approximately 170 pounds with multiple tattoos.
Anyone with any information concerning this case or the location of Bustamante is asked to contact YCSO or 78-Crime to remain anonymous.
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YUMA, AZ – Law enforcement agencies conducted a manhunt on the ground and in the air looking for 30-year-old Manuel Bustamonte Tuesday Night.
Police say Bustamonte is a person of interest in connection with the beating death of 33-year-old Kendal Smith of Yuma.
The Yuma Police Department, A canine unit, the Yuma County sheriff's Office and Border Patrol are working together to locate Bustamonte.
Captain Eben Bratcher of the Yuma County Sheriff's Office tells News 13 they received word Bustamonte was in the area of Avenue B and 5th Street. Police did everything they could to locate him, but called off the search late Tuesday night and secured the area.
Last Wednesday, sheriff's deputies found Kendal Smith unconscious at home in the 2500 block of East 15th Place after someone reported a disturbance involving 6 people armed with baseball bats. Sunday, smith died of blunt force trauma to his head.
Police say anyone with information should call YCSO or 78-crime.
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