Runaway Teen Girls Arrested for Murder

Staff Writer

Saturday, February 9th, 2019

YUCAIPA, Calif. – Two teen girls from Yucaipa were arrested for murder after the body of a Cherry Valley man was found inside a home on Friday.

At around 9:18 p.m., deputies from the Yucaipa station went to a home in the 32200 block of Avenue E. as part of the investigation into a 14-year-old runaway girl. When they got inside the home, the located Rueben Franco Jr., 24, deceased, apparently from a gunshot wound. Homicide investigators responded to the location to assume the investigation. Through investigation, it was learned that a 15-year-old girl was missing from the home and believed to be with the 14-year-old runaway. The victim’s vehicle was also missing from the home.

Homicide detectives were contacted by officers from the Buckeye, Arizona Police Department who told them that two teens were detained after colliding into a gas pump at a gas station.Officers learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of San Bernardino County. Homicide Detective responded to Buckeye, took custody of the teens and transported them back to San Bernardino County where they were booked into Juvenile Hall in San Bernardino for the Murder of Rueben Franco Jr.

No additional information is being released at this time. Updates will be issued as new information becomes available for release. The motive is not known at this time. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Mike Cleary at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.