Third Suspect Wanted In Gastonia Murder Case Arrested In NE Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC — All three suspects wanted in connection to the December murder of 28-year-old Miguel Angel Valle Romero are now in custody.

The final suspect, 31-year-old Elmer Lopez, was arrested in northeast Charlotte Tuesday afternoon on Orr Road. Police have not released Lopez’s officials charges as of yet.

Doris Maribel Alvarado-Peraza, 27, and Maynor Hernan Ortega, 33, were arrested in Jeff Davis County, Georgia on January 5th. Peraza was an acquaintance of Romero, according to officials, and  is charged with First Degree Murder.

Both Peraza and Ortega are waiting to be extradited back to Gaston County, but officials have not said when that may take place.

Around 12:20pm on December 22, 2017, Gaston County Police found the body of Miguel Romero on the side of Sawbill Lane in the Mallard Creek Crossing neighborhood off Crowders Creek Road. Police say the area where his body was found was paved but not yet developed with houses.

Romero’s body was found by a resident in the neighborhood.