BART Police Say Pittsburg/Bay Point Murder Suspects Are Holding Young Kids as Pawns; Detectives Fear The Kids' Lives Are in Serious Danger & May Be in Las Vegas

Business Wire, July 9, 2004

OAKLAND, Calif. -- At a news conference today, BART Police detectives told reporters they believe the two suspects who murdered a man outside the entrance to the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station last month are using two young children and their mom as pawns in order to flee police. Detectives believe the suspects along with the mom and kids maybe now be hiding in Las Vegas or heading father east.

BART Police fear the lives of 5-year-old Miguel Moreno, Jr. and 2-year-old Raymond Moreno are in serious jeopardy.

"As the suspects run out of money, we believe they'll become more and more desperate and violent," said BART Police Sergeant Keith Smith. "The two have a violent history and our fear is they'll do whatever it takes not to get caught, including sacrificing the children."

The two children are the sons of 21-year-old suspect Miguel Moreno. The other suspect is Moreno's brother-in-law, 21-year-old Robert Maniz, Jr.

BART detectives say both men are armed and dangerous and have had several run-ins with Las Vegas police.

Detectives believe Moreno is also holding his wife, Taralyn Moreno against her will and is using their kids as pawns to make his wife cover his tracks. Neither the mom nor her kids have been seen since Monday, June 14 - two days after the murder.

"The mother has a history of being a very responsible woman," said BART Police Sergeant Keith Smith. "It's very unlike her not to check in with her family."

CASE HISTORY:

At 5:17 p.m. Saturday, June 12, BART Police received a call indicating someone had been shot in a car just outside the entrance to the Pittsburg/Bay Point station.

When BART Police arrived on the scene, they found 51-year-old Daniel Gutierrez of Contra Costa County shot in the head and dead in the back seat of an older model sedan.

After the shooting, BART police say 21-year-olds Robert Maniz, Jr. and Miguel Angel Moreno along with 26-year-old Richard Gutierrez jumped out of the car and took off.

While BART police are still investigating a motive for the murder they say they do have enough evidence to show that this was not a random killing.

SUSPECTS & $1,000 REWARD:

BART Police have murder arrest warrants for Maniz, Jr. (AKA Bobby Sanchez) and Moreno (AKA Miguel Perez).

Detectives say both men are armed and dangerous and urge the public to steer clear of the men and call 510-464-7040 if they know where the suspects are. BART is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to their capture and conviction. BART Police may increase the reward at a later date.

A third suspect, 26-year-old Richard Gutierrez, surrendered to police on the night of the shooting. He is the victim's nephew. BART police arrested Gutierrez and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office first charged him with accessory to murder, but last week upped the charges to murder.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

BART is making pictures of the suspects, children and mother available to the public and media in either email or printed form upon request. However, BART is honoring the request of the victim Daniel Gutierrez's family and will not release his picture.

BART CRIME IN PERSPECTIVE:

Despite this recent high profile homicide, major crimes on BART property (like homicides, forcible rape, robbery & aggravated assaults) have dropped about 33% in the first three months of this year (the latest reporting period) compared with the same time last year. There haven't been any homicides on BART property in the last 10 years.

Please visit our website at www.bart.gov for more information on BART.