August 4, 2023 - Imperial County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Westmorland Police Department responded to a residence located on the 100 block of G Street in reference to an unresponsive adult female who was found bleeding inside an apartment.

Upon arrival, Officers located and identified 70-year-old Maria Cruz of Westmorland. Ms. Cruz was pronounced deceased at the scene. The circumstances of her death were determined to be suspicious during a preliminary investigation.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Imperial County District Attorney's Office, conducted an extensive investigation into the circumstances of Ms. Cruz' death. Investigators followed up on all evidence and investigative leads in order to identify and apprehend the person(s) involved in this crime.

On Thursday, August 3, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Investigators from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office located and apprehended 40-year-old Claudio Angulo, a resident of Westmorland, in connection to this homicide. Angulo was booked into the Imperial County Jail for murder and is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the Imperial County District Attorney's Office and Westmorland Police Department for their collaborative assistance in investigating, locating and apprehending Claudio Angulo.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their condolences to the family of Ms. Cruz and members of the community that were impacted by this tragic event.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Aaron Curiel of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office at 442-265-2046.

Source: Imperial County Sheriff’s Office