Arrest announced in 1997 murder of Ventura teen

VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) -- Police have made an arrest in the 1997 murder of a teenager in Ventura during an apparent interrupted burglary.

On June 24, 1997, 16-year-old Jake Bush and his mother came home around noon and found that a burglary had occurred. While Jake's mother called police to report the crime, the teen walked around to examine the house.

The suspect had been hiding inside the house, and within moments, Jake was stabbed multiple times. As the mother rushed to her son's side, the suspect fled the scene.

Jake was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Then in March, investigators were notified that forensic evidence collected from the crime scene matched Marco Casillas of Port Hueneme, who was already in custody at Ventura County Jail for an unrelated crime. After further investigation, Casillas was arrested on Monday for murder committed in the commission of a burglary.

"The family is relieved and grateful that their son's killer has been apprehended, and they are anxious to cooperate and assist the prosecution in seeking justice for Jake," police said in a statement.