Police in Southern California said Tuesday they charged a pastor and a would-be hitman with orchestrating a failed murder-for-hire plot that targeted the boyfriend of the pastor’s daughter.

Riverside police said Samuel Pasillas, 47, of Victorville, was arrested on March 13 and charged with solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Authorities said his suspected accomplice, 55-year-old Juan Manuel Cebreros, was later arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Mr. Pasillas is accused of paying nearly $40,000 to Mr. Cebreros and at least one other unidentified man to carry out the botched hit last fall.

Police said the boyfriend was driving through the Orangecrest neighborhood of Riverside on Oct. 21, when another car pulled up beside him and opened fire.

He was hit by multiple bullets, but police said he drove himself to a hospital and survived the shooting. Police haven’t divulged his identity.

Investigators said Mr. Pasillas is the pastor at the Spanish-speaking church Centro Internacional de Oracion. Authorities said Mr. Cebreros had followed the victim for weeks before the shooting.

Both suspects are being held on a $1 million bond. Mr. Pasillas pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

Police said they are trying to identify the third accomplice and any other possible accomplices.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.