AMBER Alert Texas Teen Now Murder Suspect: Police
A Texas teenager who was the subject of an AMBER alert last week has been located and faces murder charges along with the man originally believed to have kidnapped her, who remains at large, the authorities said authorities with.
Natalie Navarro, 17, is expected to be charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Arturo Pena, the Garland Police Department (GPD) said on Friday.
Navarro was originally the subject of an AMBER alert issued by the Dallas Police Department early Friday when she was reported missing from an apartment complex in far east Dallas. KXAS reported.
She was located safely early Friday in Webb County and taken into custody, Garland Police said.
Yordy Martinez, 21, who was originally linked to Navarro’s possible kidnapping, “is still at large and wanted for murder,” authorities noted.
He is believed to be armed and dangerous, KXAS said.
Garland Police did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for an update on the investigation.
Pena, of Mesquite, was found dead in a vehicle in Audubon Park on Tuesday morning from a gunshot wound, police said.
Authorities said the victim was reported missing to Dallas police just two days earlier.
“We’re trying to figure out exactly how they knew each other,” Lt. Richard Maldonado of the GPD said FOX4 of Pena’s possible link to Martinez and Navarro.
“We still have to make a decision [the motive],” he added.
“We hope to learn more by speaking with Natalie to learn exactly what happens when these people know each other, when they are in a relationship, when a fight ensues.”
Based on Navarro’s AMBER Alert, police believe Martinez may be traveling in a gray, four-door vehicle, the outlet said.
He is also missing a front tooth.
According to FOX4, Martinez has a criminal history, including a charge over an alleged shooting with a gun inside a home last year.
Pena’s family reportedly fear he may have already fled to Mexico.
As of Sunday morning, a GoFundMe campaign created by his wife, Veronica Lopez, to commemorate Pena had raised over $2,600 of the $25,000 goal.
