Pasadena Police Say They Solved New Year’s Day 2021 Murder of Man Set Ablaze Near La Loma Bridge

A Los Angeles man has been charged in the murder of a Salvadoran national found bleeding and suffering from severe burns on New Year’s Day 2021 near the La Loma Bridge who later succumbed to the injuries.

The accused killer has also been charged with a second murder in an unrelated incident.

On January 1, 2021, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Pasadena police officers responded to the 700 block of Rockwood Road regarding a “Man Down” call. Upon arrival,  they found the mortally wounded 30-year-old Ulises Nieto-Cabrera. 

Nieto-Cabrera was transported to a local hospital in grave condition. He died shortly thereafter.

The Pasadena Police Department’s Robbery / Homicide Unit began an immediate investigation and it was determined Nieto-Cabrera was intentionally targeted and set on fire. 

Pasadena detectives worked hundreds of hours investigating the case, according to police.

While working the Nieto-Cabrera homicide case, Pasadena detectives discovered an alleged connection to a murder that occurred in the City of Los Angeles in April 2022. In that second case,  two bicyclists were struck by a Jeep Cherokee. The collision, later determined to be a murder, resulted in the death of one of the bicyclists, police said.

Detectives successfully identified the vehicle and driver involved in the Los Angeles murder case, according to police. Other than the suspect involved, both cases were unrelated. 

On September 15, 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint against 21-year-old Jeovani Pluma of Los Angeles for the murders and related crimes.

No motives had been released in connection with any of the allegations.

Pluma faces two counts of murder, one count of torture, one count of arson causing great bodily injury, and two felony counts of hit/run. Pluma’s bail was set at  $4,000,000. He is currently in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on unrelated charges.  

This murder investigation is still active and the Pasadena Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding this murder to contact the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241. You may report information anonymously by calling “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), by using your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.