Santa Monica police arrested a man who allegedly tried to hire a homeless person to murder someone, they announced Friday. The arrest of Los Angeles resident Juan-Carlos Cruz on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder happened Thursday at 12:30 p.m., said Sgt. Jay Trisler.

He allegedly contacted more than one homeless person, and at least a few told the police department's Homeless Liason Program workers on May 7, Trisler said. The homeless informants helped police catch the suspect, he stated.

Police said they learned the method by which the prospective victim was to be killed, and the “terms of payment,” but they would not offer more details.

Cruz was being held in lieu of $5 million bail.

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