May 5, 2009 7:39 pm US/Pacific
Cold Case Arrest In San Jose Store Owner's Murder
SAN JOSE (CBS 5 / KCBS / BCN) ―
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Alejandro Mendoza.
Santa Clara Co. Corrections Dept.
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Sketches of two suspects in the murder of Vahid Hosseini in a San Jose bank parking lot.
San Jose Police Dept.
A 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a popular local store owner in a San Jose bank parking lot last May, police said Tuesday.
Alejandro Mendoza was arrested on suspicion of murder for the death of Vahid Hosseini, 47, San Jose police announced at a news conference.
Police would not release further details about Mendoza's arrest, but said he had a criminal record that included felony assault charges.
In April, police released sketches of two of the three suspects in the case and authorities said Tuesday that the investigation remained ongoing and two suspects were still being sought.
"There is a lot of work yet to be done on this case, but we are appealing to the community once again, now that we have more information about at least one of the individuals involved, to come forward and share information with us," said Police Chief Rob Davis.
On May 23, 2008, Hosseini, 47, was leaving a Bank of the West branch at 1010 First St. in San Jose when three suspects approached him, according to police reports.
One of the suspects shot Hosseini in the head before the men took his cash and fled in a silver 2001 Honda CR-V, police said. Hosseini died 11 days later.
A variety of organizations, including Bank of the West and the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation had offered rewards in the case, totaling $40,000, and the governor's office in April announced an additional $50,000 reward.
While Hosseini's family said they were relieved that an arrest had been made in the case, they appealed to the public for help in identifying the others involved in the murder.
"We definitely need your help, and you guys have assisted us in so many ways, and I strongly believe that with your assistance, Alejandro Mendoza, hopefully will never see the light of day," said Cassandra Houssaini, daughter of the victim.
Anyone with information was asked by the family to contact the San Jose Police Department's Homicide Unit, (408) 277-5283, or the Crime Stoppers Hotline, (408) 947-STOP.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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