Detectives arrest local man suspected of murder

Homicide detectives arrested a Canyon Country man Thursday morning in connection with the stabbing murder of Palmdale resident Vincent Roper, officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced.

The murder took place Friday, August 25, 2017, on the 37600 block of Patty Court, in Palmdale.

Deputies were called out to a residence regarding an “open door” at the location, according to a Nixle report released by LASD on Thursday evening. Upon arrival, deputy personnel entered the location, and found Vincent Roper, 64,

unconscious on the floor.

The motive for the murder was a home invasion robbery gone awry, according to Sheriff’s Department officials.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded, and pronounced Roper dead at the scene. During their investigation, detectives found stab wounds and blunt force trauma to Roper’s body and determined he’d been murdered.

Francis Tulanda, 40, of Canyon Country, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. by Palmdale Station deputies, according to Sheriff’s Department records, in connection with the crime, according to the Nixle. His bail is currently set at $2 million. Christopher Brandon, 32, of Los Angeles, was also arrested in connection with the crime.

There are no other details currently available, according to Sheriff’s Department officials.

Homicide officials were not immediately available for comment Thursday evening.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau Lieutenant Mendoza at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.