Homicide suspect picked up in Chester on weapons charges
CHESTER » A city man wanted on homicide charges out of Philadelphia was arrested Tuesday in Chester on weapons charges, according to a release from Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky.
Jose Lopez-Cruz is charged with possession of a firearm prohibited and carrying a firearm without a license, according to online court records.
He was taken into custody after Police Officer Michael Dingler was notified Tuesday morning by Homeland Security agents that Lopez-Cruz was wanted for homicide and was in the area operating a gray 2017 Acura MDX, according to the release.
Dingler saw the Acura traveling eastbound on 22nd Street and conducted a traffic stop. Lopez-Cruz was confirmed as the driver and taken into custody, the release says.
Narcotics Unit Officer Timothy Garron secured a search warrant for the vehicle and allegedly found a black H&K P2000 9mm pistol in the center console, loaded with 12 live rounds, as well as $2,000 cash in the rear cargo area.
Gretsky said Lopez-Cruz is not the registered owner of the firearm, which was sent on to Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division for ballistics testing. Philadelphia Police did not have any information on the homicide case to share Thursday.
Cruz-Lopez was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Deborah Krull, who set bail at $250,000 cash. He was remanded to the county jail in Concord pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 29.