3 men kidnapped and killed person they thought stole a tractor trailer, victim turned out to be volunteer at a Sikh temple who just fathered triplets: Cops

Three men are wanted for the kidnapping and murder of a 57-year-old California man in a case of mistaken identity, according to authorities.

Alberto Alencastro, 25, Alfonso Cresencio Segura Arellano, 20, and Barnabe Antonio Segura Arellano, 22, are facing murder charges filed by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office in connection with the death of Avtar Singh.

Incident Overview

According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, the incident began around 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 at a Sikh temple in Tracy, California, located about 60 miles east of San Francisco. The three suspects allegedly forced Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old temple volunteer and resident, into an SUV before driving away from the property.

Investigators later determined through a months-long inquiry that the suspects targeted Singh under the mistaken belief that he had stolen a cargo trailer. Authorities subsequently discovered that the actual thief was in Canada at the time of the kidnapping, making Singh the tragic victim of mistaken identity. Three days after the abduction, the Napa County Sheriff's Office discovered Singh's body near Lake Berryessa, approximately 100 miles north of Tracy.

Timeline of Events

1. Feb. 17 at approximately 2:30 p.m.: Avtar Singh is kidnapped by three suspects from a Sikh temple in Tracy, California, and forced into an SUV.
2. Feb. 20 (three days later): The body of Avtar Singh is discovered by authorities near Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California.
3. Following the discovery: The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and partnering agencies spend several months investigating the case, ultimately identifying Alencastro and the Segura Arellano brothers as suspects.

Suspect Information

The three wanted suspects are identified as Alberto Alencastro, 25, Alfonso Cresencio Segura Arellano, 20, and Barnabe Antonio Segura Arellano, 22. According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, and investigators noted that they have ties to Mexico.

Victim Information

The victim was identified as 57-year-old Avtar Singh, a native of India who had served his temple for more than 20 years as a cook and handyman living on the grounds. Community members noted he had recently fathered triplets who were 6 months old at the time of his death. Nearly 3,000 people attended his funeral, and community members established a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $500,000 to assist his wife and children.

Police Response

Deputies from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office responded to the initial abduction report and subsequently launched a multi-agency investigation that involved tracing the victim's remains to Napa County and piecing together the motive over several months.

Investigation

The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office spearheaded the investigation alongside the Napa County Sheriff's Office. Detectives spent months analyzing the circumstances surrounding the cargo trailer theft, establishing that the intended target was abroad, and ultimately connecting Alencastro and the Segura Arellano brothers to the kidnapping and homicide.

Evidence Collected

• Surveillance or witness accounts of the kidnapping from the Sikh temple in Tracy
• Physical evidence recovered from the scene where the victim's body was discovered near Lake Berryessa by the Napa County Sheriff's Office

Arrest Details

As of the latest updates from law enforcement, arrest warrants are active for Alberto Alencastro, Alfonso Cresencio Segura Arellano, and Barnabe Antonio Segura Arellano, who remain wanted fugitives considered armed and dangerous by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

Charges Filed

• Murder: A felony charge alleging the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. In California, murder carries severe statutory penalties, including state prison sentences ranging from 25 years to life, life without the possibility of parole, or capital punishment depending on special circumstances.

Court Information

Court records and docket numbers were not immediately released as the suspects remain at large and have not yet been apprehended for arraignment.

Statements from Authorities

San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow spoke about the victim during a press conference with reporters. "He was such a good person," Sheriff Withrow said. "He cooked for everybody at the temple, and he took care of anything that was broken." Local temple member Parminder Singh also spoke to reporters regarding the victim, stating, "He worked at a community kitchen, seven days a week, and cooked food for everybody. He was very nice, very polite and very friendly."

Public Safety Information

Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Alberto Alencastro, Alfonso Cresencio Segura Arellano, or Barnabe Antonio Segura Arellano to contact law enforcement immediately. Because the suspects are considered armed and dangerous, the public is advised not to approach them and to report any sightings directly to local police or by calling 911.

What Happens Next

Once the suspects are located and taken into custody, they will be extradited and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. They will then make their initial appearance in superior court for arraignment, where formal charges will be read, bail will be addressed, and public defenders or private counsel will be appointed as the criminal prosecution proceeds toward a preliminary hearing.