18-Year-Old's Fentanyl Death Leads To Murder Charge In Redlands

REDLANDS, CA — A 24-year-old man who was arrested last week at a Beaumont business is suspected of murder in the overdose death three years ago of a young Redlands resident, authorities announced.

David De La Cruz, also of Redlands, was taken into custody on Feb. 5 after an arrest warrant was issued for him the week prior, the Redlands Police Department announced. He was booked into San Bernardino's Central Detention Center on suspicion of murder and was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

According to the investigators, the case against De La Cruz began on Jan. 16, 2022, when Redlands police and fire were called to a residence in the 900 block of Ohio Street regarding an unresponsive man who was inside the home.

By the time the officials arrived, the victim — 18-year-old David Arreguin — was dead.

According to the Redlands Police Department, it was later determined that Arreguin died from a fentanyl overdose, and De La Cruz was the man who provided him with the lethal dose of the illicit narcotic.

In October 2022, De La Cruz was contacted by investigators and interviewed regarding Arreguin’s death. De La Cruz was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, and his case was forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review, according to police.

On Jan. 31, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for De La Cruz in connection with the fentanyl death.

"We know that overdoses from fentanyl and other drugs cause destruction in our community and immeasurable pain and heartache to the friends and family of those whose lives are lost," said Redlands Chief of Police Rachel Tolber. "I’m proud of our investigators for the work they’ve done and grateful for the partnership we have with the District Attorney in continuing to collaborate on this case to provide justice and some measure of closure to Mr. Arreguin’s loved ones."

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said his office "remains committed to thoroughly reviewing fentanyl overdose deaths, and in this case, we believe we have enough evidence to support the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt. We thank Redlands Police for their investigative efforts and apprehension of the defendant."