Police arrested a 21-year-old Gilroy man on suspicion of the
murder of Juan Lugo, a 56-year-old man found stabbed to death in a
downtown alley nearly three weeks ago.
Gilroy – Police arrested a 21-year-old Gilroy man on suspicion of the murder of Juan Lugo, a 56-year-old man found stabbed to death in a downtown alley nearly three weeks ago.
Tomas Romero Martinez was arrested at 8pm Wednesday at the Gilroy Police Department after coming to the building for a voluntary interview, Sgt. Jim Gillio said. Police also conducted a consent search of Martinez’ home, and recovered evidence for DNA testing, possibly to match against a knife and other forensic evidence found at the crime scene, he said.
Police declined to disclose what Martinez said during his interview with police or his relationship to Lugo.
Friends and family were shocked when Lugo’s body was found at 12:54am Sunday, April 29 in the alley behind La Colonia Latina, 7261 Monterey St. Lugo was stabbed multiple times, but his killer left cash in his wallet, only taking his Bible, said his son Jose Lugo.
The 56-year-old man, Juan Lugo, followed his son to Gilroy several years ago, leaving his diabetic wife in the care of his brothers. Recently, after one of his brothers died, Lugo had planned to return to Mexico to care for her. Lugo was well-known to downtown merchants, who remembered him circling Monterey Street on his bluish bicycle – the same bicycle found in the alley near his body.
Lugo was recently honored at a San Jose memorial ceremony, led by his pastor, Pedro Zuno of Familias Para Cristo on Eigleberry Street.
Neighbors’ widespread belief that Lugo was gay sparked speculation that the murder was a hate crime, but Gilroy police said the crime was not investigated as such. Detective Stan Devlin said the murder was apparently not gang-related, and drugs weren’t found on Lugo’s body or in his system.
Martinez was also charged with immigration violations, said Gillio. The Dispatch learned of the arrest at 6pm Thursday.
Though Martinez is in custody, detectives are continuing to investigate the case. The Gilroy man is scheduled to appear in court at noon today.
