Arrest made after killing of Rancho Cucamonga security guard
A 36-year-old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of shooting and killing a security guard during a robbery in Rancho Cucamonga.
Diego Dominguez, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested early Sunday after deputies stopped him leaving his Placer Street home. Investigators also served search warrants on his cars and house.
Dominguez was arrested on suspicion of robbery and the murder of 45-year-old Dean Sena, said the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in a statement. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center.
San Bernardino deputies allege Dominguez, armed with a black handgun, entered a Rancho Cucamonga mini-mart in the 10000 block of Arrow Route on Saturday about 11:20 p.m. and demanded money from two clerks.
One clerk ran out of the store, while the other gave the gunman an undisclosed amount of money, said San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. Randy Naquin. The clerk outside flagged down Sena, who was patrolling the area, Naquin said.
Sena was getting out of his car when Dominguez is suspected of exiting the convenience store and firing multiple rounds, striking the security guard, Naquin said.
Sena’s gun was still in his holster, Naquin said. The guard later died at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland.
Sena was months away from what was supposed to be his early retirement, a co-worker said.
Sena planned to work his last day May 1 and then undergo surgeries for back problems, said his partner Brian Villareal outside the store where the shooting occurred.
“I was in shock when I heard, I’m still shocked,” said Villareal, who wasn’t with Sena during the shooting. “This is the safest place we had ever worked at.”
Flowers were laid outside the store Sunday.
“Mr. Sena was a very dear, valued friend and employee and our prayers go out to his family,” said a woman who gave her name only as Jennifer, and said she is an owner of the Riverside-based security company where Sena worked.
Villareal said he’d worked for about a year with Sena, who frequently offered help to strangers.
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