Arrest in DC Shop Owner's Murder

D.C. Police have made an arrest of a 51-year-old shop owner on Georgia Avenue NW. A second suspect is still on the loose and police say they are close to finding the other suspect.

They say 45-year-old Andres Lopez is charged with murder. D.C. Police say he is known to police and is a repeat offender. The fugitive task force has been looking for Lopez after a warrant went out for his arrest.

Lopez was arrested just five blocks from the murder scene. Sources say witness descriptions, surveillance tapes and information from the community all helped.

For neighbors, the arrest of someone from their neighborhood was their worst fear.

"That was the most painful part. We knew it would be someone from around the corner. It was painful that you were walking past this person every day," said resident Chertier Whiting.

Notes on the door of Rufina Hernandez's store show the affection this community had for the woman known as Mama.

City leaders gathered to announce one of the two suspects has been caught. The search for the other is on.

"There is no greater day for us except when we get the other person. We look forward to get help from the community. There is still work to do," said D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

Twelve days ago, the murder of the shop owner shocked even police. Hernandez was killed even after she handed over the money.

"Why rob her and still take her life? It is probably something no one will ever be able to explain. Business owners will be thinking about this for some time," said D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

"Its cases like that make us happy. There is no more satisfaction to us than to take people into custody. The one's responsible for senseless murders," said Lanier.
It was another high-profile murder that had detectives working around the clock.

Lopez was arrested in the neighborhood.

"It's one down and one to go. Let's get the next one off the street. We have to make the prosecutors step up to the plate and put these two away for long, long time." said resident Keith Jarrell.

Lopez has been charged with felony murder and police are looking for a second person of interest.

The city is now looking at a 71 percent murder closure rate. Ward 4 residents have not seen those same numbers. Residents say only 25 percent of their murder cases have been solved.

This is the sixth person arrested in the last seven days in a high- profile murder.

LINK: CRIMINAL COMPLAINT