Crime · Merced County
Suspect Charged in Merced County Highway Murder
The California Highway Patrol and Merced County District Attorney announced Wednesday the arrest and arraignment of Manuel Adrian Salceda, 39, of Turlock, charged with murder in connection with the July 9 discovery of a body in the trunk of a Tesla on Highway 152 east of Lower Cottonwood Road in Merced County. The victim was identified as Javier Becerril Jr., 42, of Hollister; the Merced County Coroner's office said he died of a gunshot wound to the neck and had also been assaulted, CHP said. Salceda was apprehended in Dublin on Oct. 11 and booked into Merced County Jail the following Friday. DA Nicole Silveira noted Salceda had a prior 2010 felony conviction for criminal threats involving a child abuse charge.