Wes Uyekawa, a 60-year-old resident “caretaker” at McCall Storage and Car Wash in Sun City, Calif., was allegedly killed last week apparently due to a misunderstanding over some stolen dry cleaning, according to investigators.
Police said suspect Jeremy Robbins, 37, hung some dry cleaning on a back fence while he vacuumed the inside of his car, but drove off the property without the clothing. When he returned the next morning to retrieve the dry cleaning, it was gone. He apparently blamed Uyekawa and attacked him before fleeing the scene.
Responding officers said Uyekawa complained of abdominal pain and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. Coworker Stephanie Prado found his body the following morning, according to the source. Police believe Uyekawa suffered complications from the injuries he sustained in the attack.
"Wes had nothing to do with it. It was somebody else who took [Robbins’] dry cleaning that he left here. Wes paid a high price for somebody else taking it. That's terrible," Prado said. "He was a happy guy. He didn't deserve this."
Detectives used video surveillance footage to identify Robbins as the suspect. He is currently in custody.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are encouraging anyone with knowledge of the incident to call 951.955.2777.
