Thread: TN: Focus is on timeline in murder

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Focus is on timeline in murder

Greg Kaylor
Banner Editorial Assistant

Monday, Jan 26, 2009

Investigators are following leads and working toward establishing a more critical timeline regarding the Friday killing of a local store owner.

Viva Mexico, located at 110 Keith Street, was the scene Friday where Fredy Perez Roblero's body found by his wife, according to reports. Roblero was 37 years-old and had just recently purchased the store.

Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder said today the detectives are narrowing down a time frame to establish when the alleged stabbing occurred.

Several delivery personnel were being questioned when their deliveries were made.

"Their times were approximate and not necessarily exact," said Snyder.

According to earlier reports from the Cleveland Police Department, based on Roblero's wife's statements, her husband left to open the store at 9 a.m. She discovered his body and alerted authorities at approximately 11 a.m. Investigators initially believed Roblero had been shot, but ruled that out and determined he had been stabbed.

Officials originally thought the murder was possibly related to a robbery as well; however, they have ruled robbery out as a motive in the case.

"Based on what we're seeing, this is not a robbery. It appears right now that someone was sending a message. There is a distinct possibility this is gang related," said Snyder during the early hours of the investigation.

"It appears someone was very angry at this man. We're uncertain the number of stab wounds the victim received. This does not fit the criteria of a robbery gone bad," he said.

Members of the U.S. Marshal's Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Bradley County Sheriff's Office are involved in the case.

Anyone who may have information can contact the Cleveland Police Department by calling the local non-emergency connection line at 728-7311 and directing response to the appropriate agency.


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http://www.clevelandbanner.com/index.cf ... C6579C8F35

Psalm 91

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WDEF News 12

Cleveland Police Seek Motive & Suspects in Keith Street Business Owner's Murder


By Amy Katcher
Created Jan 26 2009 - 5:44pm


Passers-by slow to read the "Thank You for Your Business" sign posted outside the scene of Friday's murder. A community now asks why.

Sheila Cochran was shopping in the store next door to the old Viva Mexico Monday morning. "I'm really sorry it happened," she said. "I don't know all the details or anything, but I hope they find out who did it."

Cliff Anderson is a Pastor with a Hispanic Ministry. "Shock. Probably the word would be shock. They didn't expect that. It's something they weren't expecting."

People who knew him say Fredy Perez was a respected member of the community. Robbery does not appear to be the motive.

"The only update we have right now, we have received 3 or 4 leads out there that we are following up on," said Lt. Robert Harbison of the Cleveland Police Department.

So the department is reaching out to find answers.... both in English and to the Spanish community. Officer Edwin Millan is fluent in Spanish and addressed those Spanish speakers. "Si usted tiene alguna información sobre la muerte de Senor Fredy Pérez, por favor llame a la policÃ*a."

"It's very important that we get this message out to the Spanish community," he added in english. "Hopefully we can find some information heads to the resolution of the case."

Police ask anyone who saw anything between 9:00am and 11:00am near the business call Detective Gibson at (423) 559-3397, or the Cleveland Police Department at (423) 476-1121.

Pastor Cliff Anderson has been with the family since Friday. He says he hasn't come across ill-will toward the Spanish community in Cleveland. "Up to now they kind of feel it was another Hispanic or other Hispanics," he said Monday.

Some are pointing to gang activity, citing graffiti on the side of the building.

"That's a Latin Kings tag right there," said one woman driving through the parking lot. Officers say they don't believe it's a true mark of the Chicago-based Latin Kings, but gang activity could be a motive. "We're looking into that possibility," Lt. Harbison said. "Not that the store or Mr. Perez was involved in gang activity, but maybe the suspects could be involved in gang activity."

Now there are just more questions than answers.


Visitation for Fredy Perez is at the Jim Rush Funeral Home on North Ocoee Street in Cleveland from 6:00pm until 10:00pm Monday, and from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with the service to follow Tuesday night.

The Hispanic Ministry of the Peerless Road Church is working on creating a fund for Perez's four children.

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http://wdef.com/news/cleveland_police_s ... er/01/2009

Psalm 91