Homicide Suspect Apprehended in North Carolina: 

On Sunday (June 18, 2006) a homicide was reported to the Maryland State Police, Barrack “U”.  Sergeant King and other investigators from the Calvert Investigation Team (CIT) responded.  Initial investigation determined that Adan Cruz-Ruiz (35 year old Hispanic Male) had been fatally shot with a .22 caliber weapon several hours earlier.  The crime scene was 10-12 hours old and there were no witnesses.  A Hispanic male suspect was identified as Louis Alan Salazar (AKA:  Jose, or Jose Lopez).  Through investigation, detailed descriptions and a picture of the suspect were obtained.  Investigation also determined that the suspect fled Maryland (via bus) to North Carolina within hours after the murder.  In addition, contacts of the suspect were identified in North Carolina. A warrant was subsequently obtained for his arrest. 

On Monday (June 26, 2006) Sergeant King, TFC Davis and DFC Angle (Calvert Co. Sheriff’s Office) drove to North Carolina to attempt to locate the suspect.  They learned that a Hispanic male named Louis Alan Salazar worked at a golf course in North Carolina but that the murder suspect had assumed his identity.  A coordinated effort with various law enforcement agencies in North Carolina led to a mass distribution of fliers with the suspect’s picture and description.  On June 27, 2006, a member of the Wilmington Police Department developed a lead and investigators began searching a specific area of Wilmington, North Carolina for the suspect.  At approximately 1600 hours, the murder suspect was located in a laundromat and taken into custody without incident.  The suspect has been positively identified (fingerprints and NCIC) as Epifanio (nmn) Lopez (H/M 2/7/65). 

Lopez was transported to the Wilmington Police Department and was questioned about the incident.  Lopez confessed to being involved in the homicide.   Lopez was processed and transported to the Hanover County Jail to await an initial appearance.  During his initial appearance on 6/28/2006 he refused extradition to Maryland.   An application for a Governor’s Warrant has been prepared to ensure his appearance for criminal charges in Calvert County.

Anyone with information relating to these crimes please contact The Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack – (410) 535-1400, The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office – (410) 535-2800

For Possible Reward call Crime Solvers – (410) 535-2880 (Anonymous calls).