Convicted burglar charged with running over and killing man in Garden Grove in 2020

SANTA ANA — A 31-year-old convicted burglar has been charged with murder for allegedly running over a car theft victim in Garden Grove four years ago, police said Wednesday.

Roberto Saldana Perez was charged Sept. 3 with murder, with an enhanced sentence for personal use of a deadly weapon. He did not enter a plea Wednesday during his hearing in the Santa Ana jailhouse, and his arraignment has been rescheduled for Sept. 26 at the West Justice Center in Westminster.

According to Garden Grove Police Officer Nick Jensen, Perez is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old Theo Johnson with a vehicle on July 24, 2020.

The suspect and victim did not know each other, but they had a mutual friend. After working on a car together, Perez jumped into Johnson’s car and drove away around 2 p.m. in the 12200 block of Tamerlane Drive, a dead end, Jensen said.

Johnson gave chase and when Perez turned to exit the dead-end street, he allegedly ran over the victim. He later died at the hospital, Jensen said.

Perez was due in court earlier this month from jail in San Luis Obispo, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Perez was convicted of burglary in February 2015 and May 2014.

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