Long Beach
Police Department

Media Relations
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273
12/6/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release #
Subject:
*UPDATE* MURDER INVESTIGATION ARREST– CALIFORNIA AVENUE AND HARDING STREET
Contact:
Media Relations Detail
(562) 570-5273
LBPDMediaRelations@longbeach.gov





Update 12/6/23
Homicide detectives have identified and booked a suspect responsible for the July 9th murder of Leobardo Cervantes.

Through their investigation, detectives identified the suspect as a 16-year-old male resident of Long Beach. The suspect was already in police custody on unrelated charges. He was booked for murder on Dec. 6, 2023.

The motive for the murder remains under investigation. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later this week for filing consideration.


Original 7/27/23
Homicide detectives are investigating a hit-and-run traffic collision where the suspect intentionally struck a bicyclist, which occurred on July 9, 2023.

At approximately 7:55 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of California Avenue and Harding Street regarding an injury hit-and-run traffic collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist, leaving the bicyclist severely injured.

Upon arrival, officers located a male adult bicyclist in the roadway suffering from life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle. The Long Beach Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the bicyclist to a local hospital.

On July 22, 2023, the bicyclist was pronounced deceased. Detectives were notified of his death on July 26, 2023.

The preliminary investigation revealed a dark-colored sedan was traveling eastbound on Harding Street at a high rate of speed when it intentionally struck the bicyclist. The bicyclist fell off his bicycle and landed in the roadway. The dark-colored sedan fled the scene, continuing eastbound on Harding Street.

The bicyclist has been identified as victim Leobardo Cervantes, a 29-year-old resident of Long Beach.

No suspect information is available and the motive for the assault is unknown.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Donald Collier or Chasen Contreras at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.