Thread: Murder suspect wanted in Springfield arrested in Texas

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Man wanted in Springfield arrested in Texas

Melissa DeLoach
© 2006, Springfield News-Leader

A 21-year-old McAllen, Texas, man wanted in Springfield for murder was apprehended this morning in McAllen for transporting six illegal immigrants from Mexico.

A spokesman with the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector told the News-Leader the man, whose name is being withheld, is being held at the Hidalgo County Detention Center pending extradition to Missouri.

Roy Cervantes said the man?s fingerprints tipped agents off of a warrant in Missouri for murder.

It was not immediately known which death the man is wanted for.

Cervantes said a Texas Highway Patrol trooper stopped the 1992 Buick LeSabre for a traffic violation on U.S. Highway 281, north of Edinburg. The Border Patrol was alerted when six illegal immigrants were found inside the vehicle.

All were transported to the McAllen jail for processing including fingerprinting, Cervantes said.

http://www.news-leader.com

Murder suspect wanted in Springfield arrested in Texas

Melissa DeLoach
© 2006, Springfield News-Leader



The Greene County Sheriff?s Office is seeking extradition of a McAllen, Texas man charged with a June 9 fatal shooting in Springfield, the prosecutor?s office confirmed this afternoon.

Alvaro Molina, 21, is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the shooting death of Francisco Javier Gaspar, 20, known to his friends as ?Paco.?

Molina fled the scene outside a house at 1442 N. Nettleton Ave. before police arrived.

He was arrested this morning in McAllen following a traffic stop where authorities found six illegal immigrants from Mexico inside his vehicle.

A spokesman with the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector told the News-Leader that Molina is being held at the Hidalgo County Detention Center pending extradition to Missouri.

Roy Cervantes said the man?s fingerprints tipped agents off of a warrant in Missouri for murder.

Cervantes said a Texas Highway Patrol trooper stopped the 1992 Buick LeSabre for a traffic violation on U.S. Highway 281, north of Edinburg. The Border Patrol was alerted when six illegal immigrants were found inside the vehicle.

All were transported to the McAllen jail for processing including fingerprinting, Cervantes said.

A probable cause statement filed in the case said Molina accompanied Gaspar?s estranged girlfriend to the duplex where Gaspar, 20, originally from Hurst, Texas, was staying.

Gaspar and the woman ? Tiffany Rice ? had recently split up and she wanted to pick up some of her belongings, the documents said.

Molina, whose street name is ?Mexico,? allegedly drew a handgun and fired at the residence after an argument erupted outside.

Gaspar and another resident of the duplex fled inside and were followed by Gaspar?s estranged girlfriend. Molina was locked outside but kicked down the door.

He shot two more times, striking Gaspar once in the chest, according to the probable cause statement. Gaspar died a short time later after being taken to St. John?s Hospital.

No charges have been filed against Rice.