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Former Food Network Chef Arrested in Homeless Murder-for-Hire Plot
Juan-Carlos Cruz, a former Food Network TV host, was arrested yesterday for solicitation to commit murder, the Santa Monica Police Department announced Friday evening.
On May 7th, homeless liaison officers were contacted by homeless individuals that said they were solicited by Cruz to kill another person, explained Sgt. Jay Trisler. With aid from the homeless witnesses, the police investigation revealed that Cruz allegedly tried to pay for the murder of an unidentified person.
"The intended victim has been notified," said Trisler. "The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation."
Bail for Cruz, a Los Angeles resident who hosted the shows "Calorie Commando" and "Weighing In," was set at $5 million. Early into his career, he was the pastry sous-chef at the Bel Air Hotel where he created pastries for celebrities.
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