ERIE Co., Ohio (WTVG) – Four Guatemalan nationals wanted in connection with a murder in New Mexico were arrested Thursday at a Milan Township-area motel by Erie County Sheriff\u2019s deputies.<\/p>\n
Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said his department was contacted Thursday morning by the Lea County Sheriff\u2019s Office in New Mexico about suspects who had fled their jurisdiction after a murder that occurred on New Year\u2019s Day. <\/p>\n
\u201cLea County did an outstanding job; of course, they had the investigation; they also had the warrants for the individuals, and they had the approximate location where they may be, and they were spot on,\u201d Sigsworth said.<\/p>\n
When local authorities tracked the suspects to that Milan Township-area motel, deputies spotted a car occupied by the suspects as the group left the motel parking lot and stopped the vehicle.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy both the detectives and uniformed deputies, there were a total of four occupants in the car,\u201d Sigsworth said.<\/p>\n
Elman Franco, 26, of Tatum, New Mexico, is charged through the state of New Mexico with murder, robbery, intimidation or retaliation against a witness, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.<\/p>\n
His brother, Elder Franco, 30, of an unknown address in New Mexico, is charged with the same offenses.<\/p>\n
Maylina Santos, 28, of an unknown address, is charged with tampering with evidence and is an acquaintance of one of the brothers.<\/p>\n
Manuel Morales, 46, of Clovis, New Mexico, is charged locally through Erie County with three counts of obstructing justice, each a third-degree felony.<\/p>\n
All four suspects are Guatemalan nationals who are illegally in the United States, according to Sigsworth. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed detainers on all four individuals.<\/p>\n
The suspects face charges for the New Year\u2019s Day fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Elvis Santos of Tatum, New Mexico.<\/p>\n
Investigators said they don\u2019t believe there is a connection between the suspects and Erie County. Sigsworth said he believes the group was traveling on the turnpike.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we believe they may have been en route back to get on the pike when they were stopped,\u201d Sigsworth said.<\/p>\n
Morales is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Monday in Erie County Municipal Court.<\/p>\n
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