SAN ANTONIO – A total of four people have now been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian Pesina.
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested Jesse Santibanez, 25, on a charge of murder just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
On Sept. 11, officials identified Santibanez as the third person immediately involved with Pesina's death and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Task force members, along with members from San Antonio police's Repeat Offenders Program, found Santibanez (pictured below at right) on Tuesday hiding under a bed in his girlfriend's home in the 100 block of Canavan Avenue, on the city's South Side, and arrested him.
His girlfriend, 24-year-old Priscilla Berlanga, was also arrested Tuesday on a charge of hindering apprehension after investigators said she was intentionally harboring Santibanez.
Jerry Idrogo, 33, who police said lured Pesina to the officer's own tattoo shop where he was shot and killed in May, has also been charged with murder in connection with Pesina's death. Idrogo (pictured below at left) was captured in Ohio on Aug. 29 and later extradited to San Antonio.
The other suspect, Alfred Cardona, 36, has also been charged in the case. Cardona (pictured below, middle) was already in the Bexar County Jail on drug charges stemming from a May 22 traffic arrest, court documents stated.
Although San Antonio police officials said they believe they have all the suspects in connection with Pesina's death, they said the case is still open.
"We're pleased that we have what we believe are the main actors in this case," said San Antonio police spokesman Officer Douglas Greene. "We're also investigating who may have indirect ties to this case."
Alleged gang ties
Investigators have said previously that they believe Pesina's murder is related to his alleged ties to the Texas Mexican Mafia.
According to an arrest affidavit, on May 1 -- three days before Pesina's murder -- law enforcement agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Idrogo's last known address -- a home in the 1800 block of West Travis Street.
Inside, investigators found a ledger with Pesina's name, address, phone number and nickname under the heading "North Roster." The affidavit says the roster listed persons with ties to the Mexican Mafia.
During the search, investigators also found what police later determined to be the getaway car Idrogo allegedly drove the night of Pesina's murder parked outside the home.
Other agencies that participated in Santibanez's arrest on Tuesday were members from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit, Comal County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Office of The Attorney General.
