Illegal immigrants with lengthy criminal histories arrested for shooting California good samaritan

Two illegal immigrants with extensive criminal records have been arrested for the murder of a California man who tried to stop them from stealing a catalytic converter.

Wilber Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez were taken into custody in Los Angeles on Thursday for the killing of 48-year-old Juan Miguel Sanchez. The victim was shot in the chest after confronting the suspects while they allegedly attempted to steal his neighbor’s catalytic converter. The two men fled the scene but were later arrested in Cudahy, California.

Rabanales is a Guatemalan national who has been arrested at least 15 times in recent years on charges including grand theft, burglary, drug possession, multiple DUIs, and illegal firearm possession. He also was charged with a felony hit-and-run during a police pursuit. Many of his theft charges involved catalytic converter crimes. 

Sanchez has also been arrested at least a dozen times for charges including grand theft, kidnapping, burglary, drug possession, and possession of burglary tools, according to a report by Fox News.

The victim’s sister, Susana Sanchez, described him as a devoted family man and church volunteer. He was the sole provider for his family and also told his wife she should leave her job while she dealt with chemotherapy after she received a cancer diagnosis.

"He was a big man of faith, never missed mass on Sunday," she told FOX 11. "He volunteered on Sunday mornings at church."

"And now he’s gone, leaving my sister-in-law and two sons," she added.