Dallas Police Arrest Louisiana Murder Suspects at C.F. Hawn Freeway Motel
Officers seized three people, including a 19-year-old man, who are accused of killing a 35-year-old during a carjacking in Lafayette Parish.
By Nathan Brooks ·
Dallas police officers arrested three individuals connected to a homicide in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, following a coordinated operation at a motel on Tuesday.
The suspects were identified through Dallas County jail records and statements from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. The primary adult suspect is Jamie Santos Martinez, 19, who faces charges of first-degree murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and an immigration hold. A juvenile female suspect also faces charges of first-degree murder and theft of a motor vehicle in Louisiana. The identity of the second male who exited the motel room has not been released to the public.
The cross-state search began after deputies responded to a homicide in the 200 block of Despain Street in Lafayette around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Investigators identified the victim as Jorge Andino Espinal, 35. Police determined that the suspects killed Espinal during a carjacking and took his white GMC pickup truck. Law enforcement officials believe the group drove the stolen vehicle directly from Louisiana to Dallas without stopping.
On Tuesday, a Dallas Police K-9 officer located the stolen white GMC pickup in the parking lot of a Motel 6 at 9600 C.F. Hawn Freeway. The discovery followed an alert from a Flock camera system. Motel staff directed officers to room 262, where they found the three suspects. Video footage captured two men and one woman leaving the room as officers surrounded the property.
Dallas homicide detectives are currently coordinating with their counterparts in Louisiana to arrange extradition. Authorities plan to transport Martinez and the juvenile suspect back to Lafayette Parish to stand trial for the charges filed there.
