On 05-24-2011 Sgt. Kevin Rooney of the Willis Police Department received information from a confidential informant that a man living in the City of Willis was wanted for murder in Piedras Negras, Mexico. The name of the suspect given was not his real name as he used several aliases. After a three week long investigation, the man was identified as Juan Arturo Luna Perez, and was in fact wanted in Piedras Negras, Mexico for the murder of Angel Bermudez. Juan Perez was involved in an altercation with Bermudez on July 24, 2010 that resulted in Juan Perez stabbing Angel Bermudez in the chest with a knife. Bermudez was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his wounds. Juan Perez then fled from Mexico to avoid being arrested. On 06-13-2011 Juan Perez was found to be living at 802 Pine Circle in the City of Willis, Texas temporarily. Sgt. Rooney coordinated an effort with the US Marshal’s Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to apprehend Juan Perez on 06-14-2011. Officers went to 802 Pine Circle and found Juan Arturo Luna Perez sleeping on the couch. Juan Perez was identified, detained and later transported to an ICE holding facility in Houston, Texas without incident. Authorities from Mexico were contacted and Juan Perez was taken to the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International bridge number two on 06-28-2011 and released to Mexican territory agents of AFI-PGR, who arrested him for murder. The Willis Police Department would like to thank the US Marshal’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and The Regional Attache Office of the General Attorney of Mexico in San Antonio for the assistance rendered in this case.
James Nowak, Chief of Police
