Financial Advisor Arrested As Suspect In 2008 Murder Of Teacher
SANTA MONICA (CBS/AP) — A financial adviser has been arrested for investigation of the murder of his client, a Santa Monica elementary school teacher found stabbed to death in his condominium in 2008.
Police say Daniel Becerril II, owner of the Huntington Beach-based AP Financial Group, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of killing Alexander Merman.
Police allege Becerril stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Merman and killed him when he found out.
Detectives say Becerril owed Merman $250,000 and stole an additional $300,000 from his investment accounts, and they have amassed enough evidence to link him to Merman's killing.
Police say they uncovered more fraud during the investigation for a total of $700,000 in theft.
Becerril is being held without bail on suspicion of murder, grand theft, forgery and money laundering.
His wife, Sandra Becerril, is also facing charges for alleged financial crimes.
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