SACRAMENTO, USA: California police investigating the slayings of six people whose bodies were found in the desert have made their first arrests, police said Monday.
The bodies — all of which were believed to have gunshot wounds and some were burned — were found by deputies on a dirt road about 50 miles outside of Los Angeles.
According to the police, there was no attempt to hide them.
Officers who responded to a medical check request initially discovered five bodies and numerous shell casings.
A sixth body was found the following morning as detectives combed through the grisly scene in the remote area.
News footage showed one vehicle at the scene riddled with bullet holes.
Cardboard boxes, tires and broken bottles were also found at the scene, The Los Angeles Times reported.
San Bernardino County police were tight-lipped about details surrounding the case and would only say Monday that an arrest had been made.
Officials have not yet released any information about the identities of the dead.
Pockets of Southern California are plagued by gang violence, including Mexican drug cartels vying for control of the lucrative market north of the border.
But there is currently no indication that the killings are linked to ultra-violent gangs.
“If it was connected to cartels, as in the operations of international criminal organizations in the United States, then the FBI and Homeland Security would almost certainly be involved,” Peter Hanink, a professor of sociology and criminology at Cal Poly Pomona, told the Los Angeles Times.
“If drug cartels were suspected, the Drug Enforcement Administration would probably be involved.”
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department was scheduled to hold a press conference later Monday.
