Fifth suspect arrested after man killed in downtown Huntington Beach
A fifth suspect was arrested after a man was killed outside a downtown Huntington Beach restaurant.
On Thursday, police announced Magdaleno Barragan, 26, of Huntington Beach, was arrested in connection with the murder of Rozzalle Hellens, 29, of Anaheim.
On September 15, 2024, Huntington Beach police responded to reports of an injured person near the Longboard Restaurant & Bar on Main Street around 2 a.m.
Police found Hellens suffering from significant injuries. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The attackers had fled the scene. Police began investigating and later identified four Huntington Beach residents as suspects in Hellens' murder:
Jesus Torres-Martinez, 22
Roberto Lopez, 25
Michael Cardoso, 29
Arnaldo Malaca, 33
On May 14, Malaca was arrested for murder, carrying a concealed firearm, conspiracy (to commit murder), criminal street gang activity and carrying a concealed firearm in public.
The other three men were also arrested for murder, conspiracy, criminal street gang activity, and accessory to murder.
A fifth suspect, Barragan, remained at large. On May 28, officers located him in Bakersfield. Barragan was transported to the Huntington Beach Jail where he was booked for murder, conspiracy, criminal street gang activity and accessory.
Details surrounding the homicide, including a motive and whether Hellens was previously known to the suspects, were not released by authorities. Police did not provide information on the type of injuries the victim sustained.
Barragan, along with the other four suspects, are being held on $1 million bail. An arraignment hearing for Barragan is scheduled on May 30.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details will be released at this time.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Major Crimes Unit Detective Sergeant Anthony Pham at 714-878-5640.
Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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