4 arrested on suspicion of murder related to Huntington Beach death

Huntington Beach police Thursday announced the arrest of four men on suspicion of murder in the death of a 29-year-old Anaheim man in September outside a restaurant in the city’s downtown area.

Victim Rozzalle Lamont Hellens, of Anaheim, was found outdoors near Longboard Restaurant & Bar on Main Street at around 2 a.m. on Sept. 15. He had sustained significant injuries that resulted in his death, police reported.

The 200 block of Main Street was closed off for the next six hours as officers processed the crime scene. Detectives from HBPD’s Major Crimes Unit led the investigation, but no information on the suspect or what may have led to the homicide was made available to the public in the days and weeks that followed.

But in a release Thursday, police indicated personnel from the department’s investigations division, working with SWAT officers and members of a crisis negotiation team, had booked four Huntington Beach men.

Arnaldo Steven Malaca, 33; Michael Cardoso, 29; 25-year-old Roberto Lopez and Jesus Torres-Martinez, 22 were identified as the suspects booked on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and criminal street gang activity.

In addition to the three felony charges, Malaca was also booked for allegedly carrying a concealed firearm, although police did not clarify whether a gun was used in the homicide.

Thursday’s release followed a public advisory notice issued Wednesday afternoon, informing residents about SWAT and detective activity occurring in an undisclosed location in Huntington Beach’s Oak View neighborhood.

The activity, which HBPD spokeswoman Jessica Cuchilla confirmed Thursday took place in the vicinity of Beach Boulevard and Slater Avenue, pertained to “a prior investigation” and did not constitute a threat to public safety, according to the notice.

It is still unknown whether Hellens knew his alleged attackers, who are all due to be arraigned in Orange County Superior Court on Friday. All four suspects are being held on $1 million bail, HBPD reported.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Unit Detective Sgt. Anthony Pham at (714) 878-5640. To remain anonymous, contact the OC Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).