The alleged gunman who killed five Honduran neighbors at a residence in Cleveland, Texas, Francisco Oropesa, planned to escape to Mexico with his partner Divimara Lamar Nava, authorities said.
The woman allegedly admitted to delivering a message from Oropesa to her cousins asking for help to leave the country, San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon said during a probable cause hearing. The cousins refused to help him.
The Telemundo report citing Dillon’s statements added that the woman brought him doughnuts from a store near the house where he hid in Cut and Shoot.
The suspect allegedly showered and slept in the space.
Lamar Nava was communicating with investigators while trying to help his partner. Although, at this time, it is unclear if she was the one who provided the tip to the FBI that led to Oropesa’s arrest.
Lamar Nava allegedly indicated to authorities that she did not know where her boyfriend was. Still, he later revealed to a federal agent that the suspect arrived at the home around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
At the residence, about 15 miles from the crime scene, the Mexican national was captured at about 7 p.m. that day. Oropesa was hiding under a pile of clothes in a closet. At the time of his arrest, Lamar Nava was at the scene.
Oropesa, 38, faces five counts of first-degree murder and $7.5 million bail. Lamar Nava, 53, was also arrested at the residence, but the next day. He faced charges of hindering the apprehension of a felon and was held on $250,000 bail.
A third person, Domingo Castilla, was also detained by authorities. However, there is no information about his participation in the crime or charges against him.
The events for which the couple is being tried were reported last Friday night when Oropesa fired at the victims after they asked him to stop shooting in the air from their backyard. It was not the first time that Oropesa, who has been deported four times, had engaged in the illegal practice.