Man's Tattoo Leads to Murder Conviction

A detective's keen observation helped crack the case

PICO RIVERA (KTLA) -- Authorities say a gang member's oddly specific tattoo on his chest has led to his conviction in a 2004 murder case.

Anthony Garcia, 22, was found guilty Wednesday of first degree murder with gang enhancements for the murder of a Pico Rivera man on January 23, 2004.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials, investigators first connected Garcia to the case when an investigator was looking through photographs of gang member tattoos and came across an image of his chest.

Garcia's image had entered the system after he was arrested for driving on a suspended license by California Highway Patrol officers in 2008.

The tattoo featured an image of Ed's Liquor on the 6600 block of Rosemead Boulevard. In front of the building, a peanut-shaped man is being shot by a helicopter and then laying face down.

Above the tattoo reads "Rivera Kills," referring to Rivera 13, the name of Garcia's gang. The helicopter in the image stands for Garcia's gang name -- "Chopper."
The detective on the case remembered the scene from a crime he had worked on in 2004 in which 23-year-old John Juarez was shot dead in front of the liquor store.

After further investigation, Garcia was booked and arrested in October 2008.

"Sergeant Kevin Lloyd's incredible observation of Garcia's extraordinary tattoo, combined with great investigative work is one of the reasons why sheriff's homicide investigators are known as 'The Bulldogs,' said Sheriff's Captain Mike Parker. "Fate and tenacious police work brought this convicted murderer to justice."

Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced in May.