Press Release Update: Juvenile Arrest Made and Second Suspect Sought in Castroville Murder
DATE/TIME: 7/17/25 at 4:45 PM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Juvenile Suspect Arrested in Castroville Shooting That Left One Person Dead and Another With Critical Injuries. Second Suspect Sought -
LOCATION: Castroville, California
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander Phone: 831-261-5492 Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile for the murder of Marcelino Calixto Pastrana of Castroville after he was shot behind the Castroville Market on June 26th, 2025. A search is ongoing for a second juvenile suspect believed to be armed and dangerous.
On July 16th, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives, assisted by United States Marshals, were able to locate and arrest a 17-year-old male juvenile at an apartment along the 10600-Block of Axtell Street in Castroville. He has been booked into the Monterey County Juvenile Hall on one count of Murder, Attempted Murder, Attempted Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and Gang Enhancement charges.
As a result of information gathered by detectives, four search warrants were obtained for locations in Castroville and Watsonville. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit (MPSRU) and Watsonville Police Department assisted Monterey County Sheriff’s Office detectives in executing these warrants. A firearm was located during the service of one of these warrants.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “I want to take a moment to acknowledge and to thank our various law enforcement partners that have helped our detectives in getting to this point of this investigation. Their efforts, their teamwork, their professionalism have led to the successful arrest of a juvenile suspect for murder. With our partners, our detectives have arrested three suspects in two separate murders in less than one week. This is amazing law enforcement work.” All three suspects were arrested pursuant to Ramey Warrants where a judge found that there was probable cause to arrest for the crimes charged.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the United States Marshals, Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, Watsonville Police Department, and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit for their assistance in locating and apprehending our first suspect and in the execution of the search warrants obtained.
A second suspect in this murder investigation has been identified. In the interest of public safety, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the name, photograph and physical description of a juvenile suspect wanted in connection with the recent homicide of Marcelino Calixto Pastrana in Castroville.
The suspect, Isaiah Rodriguez, age 17, is currently wanted for murder, a serious and violent felony offense listed under Welfare and Institutions Code § 707(b). He is described as a Hispanic male juvenile, 6-00, 150 with black hair and brown eyes. The individual remains at larges and law enforcement has reason to believe that releasing this information will assist in their apprehension and protect the safety of the public.