http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/149171

Man sought in '98 point-blank killing
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.02.2006
When and Where: Oct. 20, 1998, near a wash in the 6000 block of South Cardinal Avenue, near West Valencia and South Mission roads.

The Victim: Victor Martinez Vega, 30.

The Suspect: Cesar Serbando-Flores, 39, known to friends as "Picucho."
Investigator: Detective Sgt. Gary Anderson of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Summary: Vega and Serbando-Flores, along with several other people, were drinking at a South Side bar until early Oct. 20, according to a Sheriff's Department report.

After the bar closed, the group went to a nearby empty lot at South Sixth Avenue and West Bilby Road where they continued to drink until about 6 a.m.

At that point Vega, Serbando-Flores and two other men drove in separate vehicles southwest to a home near South 12th Avenue and West Valencia Road.

Once there, the four men got into a 1979 white Chevrolet Corsica and drove south on 12th. While the car was moving, reports said, Serbando-Flores pulled out a handgun and shot Vega several times at point-blank range.

The two other men inside the car didn't know Serbando-Flores planned to shoot Vega, according to statements from the men.

Serbando-Flores then ordered the driver to head south to Cardinal, where he dumped the body in a wash near the road sometime before 7 a.m.
Shocked by what had happened, the driver refused to leave. Serbando-Flores pointed the gun at the man, ordering him to drive, reports stated.
Ultimately, Serbando-Flores got behind the wheel and drove off with the other men.

Witnesses who called deputies reported that Vega was still alive. When paramedics arrived, Vega was pronounced dead.

Investigators still don't know what sparked the shooting, but they were told by a witness that Vega owed Serbando-Flores money.
The money had caused problems in the past between the two, Anderson said.

The Latest Information: Authorities issued a first-degree murder warrant for Serbando-Flores in 1999, but believe he fled to Mexico soon after the shooting.

Later that year, Mexican authorities arrested Serbando-Flores in Sonora in connection with the murder warrant. However, he was released after Mexican authorities wouldn't let him be extradited because he's a Mexican citizen, Anderson said.

He is believed to be living in Cananea, a mining town southeast of Nogales, Anderson said.

How You Can Help: Contact Anderson at 351-4829, or call 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney's Office.

● Aaron Mackey ● The Arizona Daily Star and local public safety agencies are teaming up to report on a different unsolved case or fugitive each week. Please contact authorities if you have information that can solve these violent crimes.