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FIND THE SUSPECT. ARMANDO CUADRAS IS BEHIND BARS, ACCUSED OF KILLING 94-YEAR-OLD LEOLA SHREVES IN 2013. >> ALONG YUBA CITY’S PARK AVENUE THE SEASON’S CHANGE IS , SYMBOLIZED IN THE SPRING BLOOM. BUT FOR SIX YEARS, TIME’S STOOD STILL AT THE HOME ACROSS THE STREET FROM GLENDA SOUJA. >> OH MY GOD. TRAUMATIC SHOCK. AND THEN EVERYBODY WAS JUST TOTALLY IN DISBELIEF. >> GLENDA RECALLS THE MOMENT SHE LEARNED THAT 94-YEAR-OLD LEOLA SHREVES, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS DOTIE, HAD BEEN FOUND MURDERED IN HER OWN HOME. >> SHE WAS SUCH A KIND LADY, AND I JUST DON’T KNOW WHY SOMEONE WOULD DO SUCH A THING TO A 94-YEAR-OLD LADY. >> POLICE INITIALLY BELIEVED THEY HAD THEIR SUSPECT, A MAN WHO CONFESSED TO THE MURDER AND WENT TO JAIL, BUT HE WAS LATER RELEASED. THEN, YEARS WITHOUT ANSWERS, UNTIL THIS WEEK. WHEN POLICE ARRESTED ARMANDO CUADRAS. >> I JUST KNEW IT. I JUST KNEW. >> WHAT DID YOU KNOW? >> THAT THEY WOULD FIND HIM EVENTUALLY WITH ALL THE DNA THAT WAS LEFT IN THE HOUSE. >> YUBA CITY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE JEREMY GARCIA SAYS NEW DNA PROCEDURES ALLOWED THEM TO CATCH THEIR SUSPECT. >> TRADITIONALLY, FAMILIAL DNA WAS ABLE TO POINT LAW ENFORCEMENT TOWARDS A MALE RELATIVE. >> BUT THROUGH RECENT ADVANCEMENTS, THE PROCESS FOR STUDYING DNA WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CHANGED. THEY WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A >> FEMALE RELATIVE WHICH EVENTUALLY LED US TO THE IDENTITY OF MR. CUADRAS. >> POLICE ARRESTED THE 29-YEAR-OLD YESTERDAY A MAN WHO, BASED ON THEIR INVESTIGATION, HAS BEEN IN YUBA CITY SINCE THE MURDER. >> IT MAY HAVE TAKEN THEM A LONG TIME BUT I KNEW THEY WOULD FINALLY GET HIM AND THAT’S GOOD NEWS. >> WHILE THE ARREST OF CUADRAS MAY BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS CLOSURE HERE IN YUBA CITY, THERE ARE STILL MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS CASE. AMONG THEM, WHY THIS 94-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS MURDERED. IN YUBA CITY, MAX RESNIK, KCRA 3 NEWS. EDIE: THE VICTIM’S FAMILY DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK WITH US ON CAMERA BUT RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART THEY’RE GRATE

Advertisement Police: DNA first leads to arrest in Yuba City cold case Armando Aryas Cuadras, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday

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Advancements in the study of DNA as a means of tracking down crime suspects have led to the arrest of a Yuba City man accused of a 2013 murder. Yuba City police arrested Armando Aryas Cuadras, 29, Wednesday after a new DNA analysis process connected his blood to the scene where 94-year-old Leola Lucille Shreves was found dead, police said in a statement."The identity of our suspect was made through familial DNA, where traditionally familial DNA was able to point law enforcement towards a male relative," Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Garcia said Thursday. "Through recent advances, as recently as 2016, the process has changed somewhat through the Department of Justice. They were able to identify a female relative, which eventually led us to the identity of Mr. Cuadras."Garcia wouldn't say which female family member helped lead them to their suspect.The DNA, which included blood, had been with the Department of Justice's Bureau of Forensic Services, which made the breakthrough. "Based upon my conversations with the experts in this field, it’s my understanding that this is the first time this particular technique has been used in the State of California and quite possibly the nation," Garcia said. Cuadras, he said, had been in Yuba City since the murder. However, there are still many unanswered questions, including why Shreves was targeted. Detectives will be working to determine the motive, as well as whether Cuadras had accomplices. Shreves' family was not available for comment but released a statement:"We are so grateful and appreciative to the hard work and dedication of the Yuba City Police force and detectives. It is truly a blessing that someone has been brought to justice in this matter. We are hopeful that through the process of the legal system that a resolution will be to our satisfaction. The fact that we can emotionally come to grips with the events that are unfolding is hard to grasp, but as family and for our grandma, mother, wife, Leola Shreves, in her honor justice may be rightfully served.""I just knew it. I just knew," said Glenda Suoja as she pounded her fist "that they would find him eventually with all the DNA that was left in the house, and I just knew they would find (the suspect). It may have taken them a long time, but I knew they would finally get him and that’s really good news."Suoja's mother was best friends with Shreves, she said, and lived directly across the street. Suoja now lives in the home. Shreves was affectionately known to her family and friends as Dotie, Souja said. "(She was) kind, loving, do anything for you. Needed a cup of sugar, go over to Dotie's and borrow it," she said. Back in 2013, Yuba City police made an arrest in Shreves' murder. Their suspect at the time confessed and went to jail but was later released. "I can’t speak to the specifics regarding the decision to not pursue charges further," Garcia said.Garcia said the arrest in this case, as the result of the DNA enhancements, sets the stage for future investigative work. "It’s exciting for us. I think it’s an indication of the potential of DNA and helping law enforcement solve crimes," he said.