Rene Robles

Homicide detectives have linked a man found shot to death on the south side with a home invasion that took place only miles away, authorities said.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has identified the victim as 25-year-old Miguel Ballesteros, who was found dead near South Mission and West Drexel roads at 5:30 a.m. on April 25, said Deputy Cody Gress, a department spokesman.

The Arizona Department of Safety processed blood evidence collected at the location Ballesteros' body was found and a nearby home invasion, and were able to link him to both incidents, Gress said.

Detectives believe that Ballesteros was one of four men who were involved in a shootout an hour prior at a residence located nearย South Cardinal Avenue and West Los Reales Road.

Detectives are looking for 31-year-old Rene Robles, who is a known associate of Ballesteros and is believed to have been with him the night of the incident, Gress said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.


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Contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191