Los Angeles, California (CNN) --
Juan-Carlos Cruz, the former host of Food Network's "Calorie Commando" is accused of plotting to hire homeless people to carry out a murder, California police said Friday night.
The Santa Monica Police Department did not release details about the intended target or the alleged murder plot.
The plan fell apart when the homeless people Cruz allegedly recruited told officers with the Santa Monica Police Department's Homeless Liaison Program, authorities said.
"The individuals who were solicited agreed to assist the Santa Monica Police Department in the investigation," a police statement said.
"The results of the investigation revealed the murder-for-hire method, where and when the individual was to be killed, and the terms of payment."
The investigation began on May 7, and Cruz was arrested Thursday, police said.
Cruz is being held on a $5 million bail on a charge of solicitation to commit murder.
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