Fresno Leader

Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit have arrested 29-year-old Angel Romero of Fresno. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of murder, possession of cocaine for sale, and being a felon in possession of a gun and ammunition. His bail is set at $1.575 million.

Around 7:30 pm on March 23, 2019, deputies found 75-year-old Andres Cardenas of Dinuba shot and killed. He was discovered in a plum orchard located near E. Springfield and Alta Avenues in Reedley. Cardenas had served as a farm worker for more than 20 years and at the time of his death was helping perform small jobs on his family’s ranch.

Since the crime occurred, detectives pursued leads to identify a possible suspect. Recently, investigators in the Cold Case Unit developed new information and evidence that pointed to Angel Romero as the shooter. Detectives then secured an arrest warrant. On July 21, 2024, detectives with the Sheriff’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (ViCAT) located Romero in Fresno and arrested him. Detectives learned that then-24-year-old Romero shot Cardenas in the orchard during a robbery attempt.

Although an arrest has been made, anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Sheriff’s Detective Juan Galindo at (559) 600-8215 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #19-4016.

Suspect - Angel Romero

Victim - Andres Cardenas

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