FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The accused killer of an 84-year-old Delano grape grower is ordered held on $2 million bail.
24 year-old Mariano Fernandez Perez was arrested by deputies during a traffic stop on Saturday.
He’s charged in the killing of Jakov Dulcich, (above right) the owner of Sunlight International Sales, and founder of Dulcich & Sons, which became internationally known for their “pretty lady” table grapes.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office says around 8:30a.m. Wednesday, April 12, Dulcich was killed in a car-to-car shooting while driving outside of Delano.
After he was shot, his SUV crashed into another vehicle vehicle at Browning Road and Woollomes Avenue.
That driver got out and got into a fight with the shooter –who fired at him — then fled the scene.
Perez, the alleged shooter, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.
His arraignment takes place next week.
Deputies have said there is at least one other suspect.
Click to listen to the report by Liz Kern.
