Suspect in Murder of Juan Lopez Arrested in Philadelphia

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Police Chief Ken Ferguson announced on Friday morning that a Framingham man suspected of murder was arrested earlier this week in Philadelphia.

Jeremy Rodriguez, 19, of Framingham, was wanted in connection with the November murder of Juan Lopez. Lopez was found with a fatal gunshot wound in the driver's seat of a vehicle in a Second Street parking lot in Framingham on November 20 just before 11 p.m.

Investigators allege that Rodriguez, 16-year-old Framingham resident Jose Cruz and Bryan Pertarb, 20, of Hudson, arrived on Second Street as Lopez was retrieving marijuana from the trunk of his car.

Police allege that Lopez then got into the driver's seat in his vehicle. At that point Rodriguez allegedly walked up to the vehicle and fired a single gunshot through the driver's side window, striking and killing Lopez. All three men then fled the scene, Ryan said.

Each man is charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the District Attorney's Office. 

Cruz and Pertarb are currently held in custody without bail and will be arraigned February 14 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. They were both arrested on December 18, but Rodriguez could not be located and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Framingham Police received a tip that Rodriguez may be in Philadelphia. On Tuesday, he was located in the city and arrested. Rodriguez was arraigned on Wednesday on fugitive from justice charges and held without bail.

All three suspects in the case have been indicted by the Middlesex Grand Jury for the murder of Lopez, Ryan said. 

Rodriguez is next scheduled to appear in court on 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.”