NewsCrime

Actions

Armando Cruz enters not guilty plea in rape, killing of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre

Armando Cruz set to be arraigned in rape, killing of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre
Posted
and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The man accused of raping and killing a 13-year-old girl in Bakersfield last summer entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment Thursday.

Armando Cruz was in court in October after he was indicted by a grand jury. He's facing 12 felony counts including rape and first-degree murder. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

His next scheduled hearing is Dec.14th.

Patricia Alatorre disappeared last summer from her South Bakersfield neighborhood near Cresent Ridge Street.

Cruz, an Inglewood resident was arrested by Bakersfield police in the Los Angeles area after authorities located his pick-up truck that was seen leaving Alatorre's neighborhood at the time she disappeared.

Sign up for the Headline Newsletter and receive up to date information.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

10/17/2025

Sunny

74° / 55°

0%

Saturday

10/18/2025

Sunny

82° / 58°

1%

Sunday

10/19/2025

Partly Cloudy

83° / 57°

0%

Monday

10/20/2025

Sunny

82° / 57°

1%

Tuesday

10/21/2025

Sunny

81° / 58°

1%

Wednesday

10/22/2025

Sunny

75° / 57°

5%

Thursday

10/23/2025

Sunny

75° / 56°

3%

Friday

10/24/2025

Mostly Sunny

76° / 56°

3%