OXNARD : Robbery Suspect Also Faces Murder Charge

A 22-year-old Oxnard man has been charged with murder and robbery.

Hector Garcia II is suspected of stealing more than $180,000 in a Sept. 19 holdup at an Oxnard grocery store.

Garcia was arrested Sunday, but none of the stolen money has been recovered, Deputy Dist. Atty. James D. Ellison said.

Garcia was charged in Ventura County Municipal Court with one count of murder and one count of robbery. The robbery charge includes a special allegation that he stole more than $100,000 while holding up Smith’s Food & Drug Center, 2401 Saviers Road. The allegation could add two years to any prison sentence.

Ten days after the store robbery, Garcia allegedly showed up armed at the family home of Michael Wayne Mansir, 24, of Oxnard. Garcia walked into the living room and shot Mansir several times, fatally injuring him, police said. Investigators say they have not determined whether the robbery and slaying were related.

Garcia was arrested in San Bernardino County following a anonymous tip to police.

On Tuesday, his lawyer asked Ventura County Municipal Judge Bruce A. Clark to postpone arraignment until Nov. 30. The judge continued bail at $500,000.

Investigators alleged Garcia entered the Smith’s store, stole the money and pretended to kidnap the dairy manager. The dairy manager was later arrested on suspicion of robbery, but no charges were filed.

Officials at the store’s corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City said their Oxnard store was not supposed to have $180,000 in its safe.

“That was an abnormal amount of money to have in our safe,� spokeswoman Shelley Thomas said. “Policies and procedures were not followed at that store, and we have made changes in management.�