Man convicted of shooting a customer at Panaderia La Chapina

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2014

Case # 10CF3188

MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING-MURDER OF VICTIM PREPARING COFFEE IN BAKERY

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of the shooting-murder of a victim in a Santa Ana bakery while the victim was preparing a cup of coffee. Israel Pena Lopez, 38, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. He faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Oct. 10, 2014, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Frankie Esteban Giraldo, 32, Santa Ana, was charged with murder but was found not guilty in this case.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2010, Lopez and Giraldo drove in separate vehicles to Panaderia La Chapina bakery on Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana. Lopez parked in a marked stall in front of the bakery and Giraldo drove through the parking lot before parking on a side street. The defendants got out of their vehicles and met outside the bakery.

Lopez walked around to the front of the business while Giraldo waited at the west entrance. Both defendants entered the bakery simultaneously. Lopez shot 32-year-old Alejandro Sanchez several times in the back, murdering him. Sanchez had his back turned while preparing his coffee at a counter at the time of the murder.

Both defendants left the restaurant after the shooting. Lopez returned a few moments later and again attempted to shoot the victim, who was lying on the floor, but Lopez’s firearm failed to discharge. Lopez then fled the scene. Witnesses called 911 and the Santa Ana Police Department investigated this case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Herrera of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Director of Public Affairs
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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