Man Who Shot Good Samaritan Still at Large

LA HABRA —  Police on Thursday asked for the public’s help in finding a man suspected of shooting a good Samaritan who tried to stop a barroom brawl earlier this month. The victim’s leg was amputated as a result of his injuries.

The victim, Juan Herrera Delgado, 32, of Anaheim, remains in serious but stable condition at Anaheim Memorial Hospital.

The suspect, Jose Luis Ambrocio, 30, of La Habra, is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Det. Chuck Page said Ambrocio entered the La Taverna bar in La Habra on Aug. 12, walked up to a customer named Rene Sugich and engaged him in a discussion that became heated. Ambrocio left and came back 10 minutes later with a gun, Page said. He hit Sugich in the back of the head twice and once in the forehead with the butt of the revolver, causing cuts, according to police. When Ambrocio chased Sugich out the back of the bar, Delgado intervened, Page said.

Delgado tried to grab the gun from Ambrocio, who fired at Delgado twice, Page said. The bullets entered Delgado’s stomach and lower back, exiting through his left leg, police said. He was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange.

The leg developed an infection, which forced doctors to amputate it below the hip to stop the infection’s spread.

Ambrocio was last seen getting into a white Volkswagen Fox, Page said. Police said Ambrocio frequents local bars and is believed to still be in the Orange County area. He was described as 5 feet 3 and weighs 160 to 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has a sparse mustache, a pot belly and walks with a limp.

He has used 10 aliases in the past, police said. He has been known to go by the names Pedro Perez Lopez, Ricardo Jimenez Lopez, Ricardo Jimenez, Jose Gonzalez Ambrosia, Jose Ambrolio, Jose Luis Ambricio, Miguel Ruiz Vasquez, Jamie Sosa and Jose Ambrosia Gonzalez.

Arrest warrants had been issued against Ambrocio for narcotic sales and assault and battery. An additional warrant has been issued for attempted murder, mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information about Ambrocio is asked to call the La Habra Police Department at (310) 905-9750 or the anonymous tip hotline at (310) 905-9611.

“We’re close but we need that one final push,” Page said. “We have such a good Samaritan do something humanitarian. He gave almost the ultimate sacrifice.”

But Page cautioned that the public should not try to disarm suspects, especially if they have guns.

The La Habra City Council is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of Ambrocio. An additional $1,000 is being donated by Cafe El Cholo, which has employed Delgado for 10 years.

In addition to that full-time job, Delgado worked 30 hours a week at another restaurant to support six members of his family, said John Astin, general manager of Cafe El Cholo.

Donations may be sent to Delgado at Cafe El Cholo, 840 E. Whittier Blvd, La Habra, 90631. attention John Astin or Susan Smoot.