Epifanio Lopez

The suspect being hunted in connection with the murder of Adan Cruz-Ruiz, a 35 year old Hispanic man, in Lusby, has been apprehended in North Carolina.

Cruz-Ruiz was fatally shot with a .22 caliber weapon on Sunday June 18. The body was discovered in the suspects travel trailer (where he was residing), on the farm property.at 1430 Turner Road in Lusby.  The men were both temporary farm workers from Pink Hill, North Carolina, hired to take care of the horses and grounds at the Lusby farm.

The crime scene was 10-12 hours old when police arrived and there were no witnesses. A Hispanic male suspect was initially identified as Louis Alan Salazar.  Through investigation, detailed descriptions and a picture of the suspect were obtained.  Investigation also determined that the suspect fled Maryland (via bus) to North Carolina within hours after the murder.  In addition, contacts of the suspect were identified in North Carolina. A warrant was subsequently obtained for his arrest. 

On Monday, June 26, Sergeant King, TFC Davis and DFC Angle (of Calvert County Sheriff’s Office) drove to North Carolina to attempt to locate the suspect identified as Louis Salazar. 

In North Carolina they learned that a Hispanic man named Louis Alan Salazar worked at a golf course there, but found it was not the suspect they were seeking. A coordinated effort with various law enforcement agencies in North Carolina led to a mass distribution of fliers with the suspect’s picture and description. 

On June 27, 2006, a member of the Wilmington Police Department developed a lead and investigators began searching a specific area of Wilmington, North Carolina for the suspect.  At approximately 4 p.m., the murder suspect was located in a laundromat and taken into custody without incident. 

The suspect has been positively identified (via fingerprints and NCIC) as Epifanio Lopez, 41 years old. Police had Lopez’s fingerprints on file because Lopez had been arrested for narcotics in North Carolina several years back, Sgt. King told The Bay Net.  “No other violent crimes were found on his record,” she added.

“Lopez assumed Salazar’s identity approximately two years ago,” King revealed to The Bay Net.  “He knew the subject from Pink Hill, North Carolina and stole his paperwork.”

Once in custody, Lopez was transported to the Wilmington Police Department and was questioned about the incident. There he confessed to being involved in the homicide.   Lopez was processed and transported to the Hanover County Jail to await an initial appearance.  During his initial appearance on Thursday (June 28) he refused extradition to Maryland.  

An application for a Governor’s Warrant has been prepared to ensure his appearance for criminal charges in Calvert County. The extradition hearing is set for July 6. Sgt. King told The Bay Net that Lopez is currently being charged with second degree murder. As the investigation is continuing, police were unable to discuss possible motives for the attack.

Anyone with information relating to these crimes please contact The Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack – (410) 535-1400, The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office – (410) 535-2800

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