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Transient Suspected In 2005 San Bernardino Murder Arrested In Florida

SAN BERNARDINO (CBS) — Authorities say a transient linked to the murder of a Fresno man in the Cajon Pass was arrested Wednesday in Florida.

Dennis Pease, 55, was found by a U.S. Marshal's Service Fugitive Task Force, living in a transient camp in Orlando, Florida. He is in custody and awaiting extradition to San Bernardino.

willard eichler

Evidence in the murder of 54-year-old Willard Eichler of Fresno was linked to Pease, San Bernardino Sheriff's officials said. Eichler was found with several traumatic injuries on Swarthout Canyon Road in Cajon Pass on Nov. 11, 2005.

Pease, who was found driving Eichler's missing Ford LTD, was arrested as a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to state prison for one year, after which he became a transient.

A Sheriff's Homicide Cold Case Team assumed the investigation, analyzing evidence from the scene and the Ford LTD. Pease was linked to the murder and a warrant was issued for his arrest in January, officials said.

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