ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE:
The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office says they've found and arrested Cason Cash Raymond for the murder of Ricky Bernal Jr.
They said a Crime Stoppers tip led them to finding Raymond at an apartment complex on the south side of San Antonio.
"A second suspect, JOSEPH SAIZ, age 20, of northern Atascosa County, has also been charged with the murder and is in the Atascosa County Jail as of late last week," officials added.
Raymond was transported to the Atascosa County Jail overnight with a bond set at $500,000.
Original story:
Atascosa County detectives are asking for the public's help in finding a suspected murderer responsible for the death of a Pleasanton man back in August.
Officials say they have been looking for 18-year-old Cason Cash Raymond since Aug. 19 when they suspect he killed 22-year-old Ricky Bernal Junior in Pleasanton.
Detectives say they have new information that Raymond could be hiding in the Windcrest area.
The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office released a photo of the suspect and offered a $5,000 award for information leading to his arrest.
They identified Raymond, and said a warrant has been issued for his arrest. They described him as 5'8" and 165 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Maria Leon is desperate for justice after her son was killed in Atascosa County.
“I just want the killer to come forward. He took my baby away,” Leon said.
Atascosa County sheriff’s deputies found 22-year-old Ricky Bernal Jr. shot to death at his home off Big Leaf Road off Old Pleasanton Road in Pleasanton late Saturday night.
Witnesses told investigators they saw several people take off in a vehicle after gunshots erupted from the crime scene.
Leon can’t fathom why anyone would harm her son, who is a father and brother of five siblings.
“He had a big future ahead of him. He was so young,” Leon said. “He’s 7 years old. Now he has to grow without a dad.”
Valerie Ramirez is keeping the family strong and hopeful as can be during this dark time.
“He had a beautiful smile, he was always happy. Ricky is not here to defend himself and we are. We are his voice and we will not stop until justice is served,” Ramirez said.
Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward said a joint operation between Jourdanton police and the sheriff’s office on Monday led to the arrest of 19-year-old Kobey Torres Coronado, who is suspected of being an associate of the murder suspect.
Soward said it began with securing an arrest warrant on the murder for the suspect followed by surveillance of a home to locate the individual. Law enforcement arrested Coronado after two and a half hours. He emerged from dense bushes near a hotel and hospital in Jourdanton.
Coronado was charged with evading arrest with a vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, theft of a firearm, and evading arrest on foot. Coronado had three warrants out of Hays County and was booked for violating parole.
Soward noted investigators are working around the clock to find the murder suspect, who could be in the San Antonio area.
Meanwhile, Bernal’s family has a message for the killer.
“Turn yourself in. There’s no reason for him to go down like this,” Leon said.
The family is holding a benefit plate sale for Ricky Bernal Jr. on Sept. 2 at a tire shop located at 816 2nd St. in Pleasanton. A GoFundMe has also been arranged by Bernal’s aunt Jolene to support financing funeral services.
"To be eligible for the reward, the caller must call Crime Stoppers at 830-769-2255," they said.
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