Police: Former Food Network chef solicited Calif. homeless people to commit a murder

Police: TV chef solicited homeless in murder plot

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — California police say the former host of a Food Network show is accused of soliciting homeless people to commit a murder.

Santa Monica police Sgt. Jay Trisler says Juan-Carlos Cruz was arrested Thursday and booked on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder.

Cruz was the host of the Food Network program “Calorie Commando” in 2004 and has spoken about low-calorie cooking at health fairs.

Trisler says officers were contacted on May 7 by homeless individuals who were solicited by Cruz to kill someone. The people who were solicited then agreed to help police in the investigation.

Trisler says the intended victim has been notified.

Cruz is being held on $5 million bail.