Murder Suspect Arrested in Philadelphia
FRAMINGHAM— Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Police Chief Ken Ferguson inform the public today that Jeremy Rodriguez, 19, of Framingham, who was wanted in connection with the murder of Juan Lopez in Framingham, has been arrested in Philadelphia.
Rodriguez and two other suspects have all been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury for the November 20 murder of Lopez.
Framingham Police contacted Philadelphia Police after receiving a tip that the defendant may be in that city. The Philadelphia Police launched an investigation and arrested the suspect on February 4. Rodriquez was arraigned February 5 in the municipal court in Philadelphia on fugitive from justice charges and held without bail. His next court date is February 18 for a rendition hearing.
“Following an extensive search by state and local police, and with the assistance of Philadelphia Police, we have arrested this suspect who we allege was the shooter in this homicide,” said District Attorney Ryan. “This case is frightening reminder of the violence that accompanies the business of buying and selling illegal drugs.”
Rodriguez, Jose Cruz, 16, of Framingham, and Bryan Pertarb, 20, of Hudson are charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Cruz and Pertarb are currently held in custody without bail and will be arraigned February 14 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn.
At approximately 10:57 p.m. on November 20, Framingham Police responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot at 15 Second St. in Framingham. Upon arrival police discovered a male victim in the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim, Lopez, 21, of Framingham, was transported to MetroWest Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the chest.
It is alleged that when Lopez arrived at the location on Second Street he retrieved marijuana from the trunk of his car and then got into the driver’s seat of his vehicle. It is alleged that Rodriguez walked up to the vehicle and fired a single gunshot through the driver’s side window, striking Lopez. The three men then fled the scene.
Cruz and Pertarb were arrested December 18 and arraigned December 19 in Framingham District Court where they were held without bail. A warrant was issued for Rodriguez.
The case is under investigation by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Framingham Police. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Christopher Tarrant. The Victim Witness Advocate is Lesia Schymonowytsch.