Published: May 29, 2008 02:07 PM
Modified: May 30, 2008 02:05 PM

Murder suspect captured in Mexico

By Jordan Cooke, Staff Reporter
A Mexican native wanted in connection with the 2006 murder of an Archer Lodge man has been captured in his home country.

Tammy Amaon, spokeswoman for the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, said Mexican authorities recently arrested Aurelio Roque, 21, for a murder there. Roque had been on the run from Johnston deputies since April 2006, when he allegedly shot to death a neighbor, Candido Valdez Agustin.

Authorities have said Agustin, a 25-year-old construction worker, was killed during an altercation outside of his home at Lot 36 in Pace’s Mobile Home Park. Agustin and Roque had reportedly argued over car speakers before Agustin was slain.

Despite a nationwide alert, authorities had been unable to locate Roque or his 1992 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. Amaon said detectives in Johnston learned of Roque’s whereabouts after his arrest in Mexico. She said Mexican officials e-mailed officers here to notify them of Roque’s latest charges.

Amaon said Mexican authorities will not release Roque to the United States until he’s stood trial and served out any sentence imposed on him there. Should Roque be convicted and sentenced for the crime in Mexico, he might never answer for Agustin’s murder, she said.

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