Bernadino Valle-Padilla (left) and Nikolas Perez-Patistan. OCSO photo
OKANOGAN – Law enforcement authorities are seeking the whereabouts of two men, one believed involved in a murder and the other in an unrelated attempted murder and kidnapping in Okanogan County last week.
The first suspect is Nicolas Perez-Patistan, 25, Brewster, and he is wanted for the murder of Carlos Porras-Trujillo, 39, also of Brewster. Trujillo was killed during a fight in an orchard on Red Apple Road north of Brewster on Sunday, July 17. An autopsy conducted on July 21 revealed the cause of death was a head wound caused by blunt force trauma, according to Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.
“Perez-Patistan was last seen leaving the orchard on July 18 and told people he was headed to California,” said Sheriff Rogers.
According to the sheriff, Perez-Patistan also has two misdemeanor arrests. Information gathered suggests he may still be in the Brewster area, he said.
The second suspect is Bernadino Valle-Padilla, 28, Tonasket. Padilla is wanted for attempted murder and for first degree kidnapping. Padilla is suspected in the shooting of Ivan Nunez-Morales on Friday, July 22.
“Padilla shot Morales twice, once in the face and once in the chest. Padilla then took another subject at gunpoint and ordered him to drive him from the scene. Padilla exited the vehicle approximately ten miles away from the scene and has not been seen since,” said Sheriff Rogers.
According to the Sheriff, Padilla is alleged to have used a .25 caliber handgun during the shooting and is considered armed and dangerous. Padilla has convictions from the past for felony assault. After the suspect fled the scene, Morales, 22, Tonasket, was able to walk to a residence and ask for help. He is still at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. At around 5 p.m. on Friday, July 22, Okanogan County Deputies, officers from the Tonasket Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol Agents responded to the orchard on the Loomis-Oroville Road regarding the shooting.
Anyone with information on Perez is asked to contact Detective Mike Murray or Detective Kreg Sloan at (509) 422-7232. Anyone with any information on Padilla is asked to contact Detective Murray at the same number.
