Suspected illegal immigrant wanted in connection with 1999 killing
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March 27, 2009 - 6:29 PM
Corey Friedman
He's accused of shooting and killing a man on a busy highway. No one's seen him for a decade, and police aren't even sure they know his name.

This man, known as Alex Perez, is wanted in connection to a 1999 killing. Police say they are not positive they even have the man's correct name.

Alex Daniel Perez remains on the Gaston County Police Department's most wanted list, though Capt. Calvin Shaw said police believe the Hispanic man, who is now 31, was using an alias.

Perez, whose last known addresses were on Snow Lane and Farmpond Lane in Charlotte, and fellow Charlotte resident Marvin Salvador allegedly shot Jesus Escobar Ramos in the back on March 5, 1999. Both men were charged with murder, and Salvador was arrested in North Miami Beach, Fla.

Perez was never found.

"We've had no contact with him," Shaw said.

Shaw said the District Attorney's Office dismissed the charge against Salvador when he was deported from the United States. Salvador and the man known as Perez were both illegal immigrants.

"We believe they were here in the country illegally," Shaw said. "Having that kind of transient lifestyle, it's very difficult to track a suspect sometimes."

Ramos was found off I-85 near Exit 22 in Lowell in the early morning hours of March 5. Police detectives told The Gazette for a March 1999 story that Ramos was apparently shot inside a vehicle.

Investigators described Ramos and the two suspects in his slaying as "associates," but could not explain the men's relationship. The Gaston County Police Department investigated the murder, though it happened within the Lowell town limits.

Little is known about Perez, but police are asking anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward.

Those with information about the case can call the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.

www.gastongazette.com