WEB EXCLUSIVE: More details revealed in homicide

Miguel Angel Perez was one of six suspects charged with first degree murder Wednesday at the San Benito Police Department station. Also seen (below) is SBPD Assistant Operations Chief Michael Galvan addressing the media during a press conference following the arraignment. Pictured (below) are the six suspects in question. (Staff photos by Heather Cathleen Cox)

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

San Benito police continue to deny rumors that the stabbing death of 19-year-old Angel Perez on Monday was gang related; however, authorities did report that the incident allegedly stemmed from a “random act of violence” occurring in retaliation for a burglary the victim was accused to have been involved in.

Perez was brutally stabbed 14 times in the abdomen on Monday morning at approximately 12:19 a.m. and was later transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The following five individuals were arrested on first degree murder charges in this case: Ruby Nadine Sanchez, 23, JJ Leal, 18, Jose Lasaro Ramos, 21, Miguel Angel Perez, 18, and Esteban Rodriguez, 22. All bonds were set at $500,000, and individuals were transported to Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito.

Suspect – Esteban Rodriguez

Robert John Anthony Martinez, 18, was also arrested and charged with murder in the first degree, as well as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is also a first degree felony. Martinez’s bonds were set at $500,000 each charge and he was also taken to Olmito. The aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge was from an unrelated incident.

After officers arrived at the scene, police said an individual identified as Yarim Martinez provided the description of a black Ford Explorer which was reportedly carrying four or five men. Yarim Martinez alerted officers to the area where his friend, Angel Perez, lay bleeding.

The crime scene was sectioned off, and investigators were called, Yarim Martinez was then identified as the initial 911 caller and was held for further questioning.

Suspect – JJ Leal

While evidence was collected at the scene of the homicide, another 911 call was made regarding a burglary in progress. Officers responding at the scene arrested JJ Leal for public intoxication. Police said that officers were later advised that Leal’s sister, Sanchez, drove a similar Explorer to the one depicted by Yarim Martinez.

At 2:47 a.m., officers reportedly observed Sanchez in the company of another individual, both of whom were located in front of Sanchez’s vehicle. The two were detained and the Explorer was seized as evidence. When questioned, police said Sanchez refused to implicate the guilt of her brother in the homicide.

Meanwhile, authorities said Yarim Martinez admitted to taking part in a burglary of a motor vehicle with a man identified as Claudio Ballesteros, who police also said admitted to involvement in the aforementioned burglary. According to San Benito Police Department Assistant Operations Chief Michael Galvan, Angel Perez “was in the area when the

Suspect – Jose Lasaro Ramos

burglary took place.” The vehicle in question has not been recovered.

The assistant chief said Yarim Martinez and Ballesteros have made allegations that Angel Perez was with them during the time the vehicle was stolen. At a press conference held Wednesday, Galvan was asked by reporters if Angel Perez had participated in the burglary. Galvan responded, “Being there is the same as participating in the crime.”

Although at least some of the six individuals who were arrested for first degree murder said they were affiliated with the street gang Sureños, Galvan said, “The object of their assault has nothing to do with gangs.” Galvan continued by saying, “For whatever reason, (those arrested) took offense to this (burglary) taking place in their neighborhood.”

Suspect – Miguel Angel Perez

Six murder warrants were issued by Municipal Court Judge David Garza. Sanchez’s vehicle was seized and is being stored in Weslaco at a crime scene lab. The murder weapon has been identified as a knife but has not yet been located.

“We are going to have extra patrol in those neighborhoods,” said Galvan. “We have six young people that are probably going to go to jail for a very long time.”

Concerning the murder suspects’ alleged actions, Galvan further remarked, “We tell everybody if you see a crime being committed, call the police. They took it into their own hands….Some showed remorse for their actions.”