A 42-year-old Hollister man was found shot to death inside a Tesla in July. Investigators tracked the suspect to Northern California, where he was arrested earlier this month.
Los Banos, CA (October 21, 2026) — A suspect has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Javier Becerril Jr., 42, of Hollister, whose body was discovered inside a Tesla along Highway 152 near Los Banos in July.
The California Highway Patrol and Merced County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Manuel Adrian Salceda during a press conference Wednesday, October 21, at the CHP Merced Area office in Atwater.
According to information presented at the press conference, investigators identified a vehicle believed to be transporting Salceda near Dublin, California, on October 11.
Authorities subsequently located Salceda at a gas station on Road 8 near Interstate 5 in Woodland, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators believe Salceda used multiple identities in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
Salceda was initially booked into the Yolo County Jail before being transferred to the Merced County Jail on October 16.
The Merced County District Attorney’s Office has charged Salceda with first-degree murder, along with a firearm enhancement and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Prosecutors also allege that Salceda has a prior serious felony conviction for criminal threats dating to 2010. According to District Attorney Nicole Silveira, he could face up to 75 years to life in prison if convicted.
Silveira described the killing as a particularly calculated crime, indicating that prosecutors believe it involved planning.
The investigation began July 9, when authorities received a report of a possible missing person near eastbound Highway 152 and Lower Cottonwood Road, near the San Luis Reservoir.
Responding CHP officers and Merced County sheriff’s deputies discovered Becerril’s body in the trunk of a white Tesla. Authorities classified the death as a homicide.
Becerril worked as a DoorDash driver in Hollister. Following his death, fellow delivery drivers established a memorial outside the Safeway grocery store where he frequently picked up orders. His family also organized a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses and support his children.
Although authorities have announced an arrest, the motive for the killing and the relationship, if any, between Salceda and Becerril have not been publicly established.
Article Originally Published At: https://losbanosenterprise.com/community/crime/2026/suspect-charged-with-first-degree-murder-in-highway-152-tesla-killing-near-los-banos/