Cops arrest man and 2 teens after discovery of missing man’s remains: Authorities

Authorities in California say a man and two juveniles are expected to face charges including murder after the body of a missing man was found near a Santa Cruz County road earlier this month.

As KSBW reported, the human remains were spotted on Oct. 13, three days after Bernardo Rodas was reported missing.

Authorities indicated the body belonged to the 41-year-old Santa Cruz man. As of the latest reports available, the results of a forensic autopsy had not been released.

A pathology report lists the manner of the man’s death as homicide but the cause had not been officially determined as of this writing.

Police have since arrested 22-year-old Milton Arias Molina of San Jose in connection with the homicide. Two teens — a 15-year-old from Santa Cruz and a 17-year-old from Capitola — were also arrested on similar charges.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is currently trying to identify a motive and did not release any additional information about the crime.

Investigators say the case remains open and would not comment on the possibility of other suspects.

The district attorney’s office is handling the prosecution but law enforcement are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Sgt. Dee Baldwin by calling 831-454-7635.

[Featured image: Milton Arias Molina, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office]