HUNTINGTON BEACH (CNS) - An Arizona man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of a woman whose body was found in the trunk of a car outside a residence in Huntington Beach, police said Tuesday.
Officers were sent to the 17000 block of Friml Lane about 5:15 p.m. Monday after receiving reports of a family disturbance at the residence, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
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"Upon arrival, patrol officers contacted the involved parties and secured the location," police said in a statement. "During the initial investigation, officers located a deceased adult female. She had passed away under suspicious circumstances."
Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Unit were sent to the scene, police said.
"The Orange County District Attorney's Office and the Orange County Sheriff's Department-Coroner Division and Crime Lab also responded to assist," police said. "Based on interviews and evidence located at the scene, 34-year- old Richard Paul Rodriguez of Holbrook, Arizona, was arrested and booked on one count of PC 187(a) Murder."
The woman's name was withheld, pending notification of her relatives, however, police in Holbrook, Arizona, confirmed to reporters that the victim was 54-year-old Christi Lynn Romero. Holbrook police on Monday had issued a bulletin about Romero going missing, and identifying Rodriguez as a suspect in the case.
The bulletin included a photo of Romero's red, two-door sedan, a 1995 Plymouth Neon, that was believed to have been stolen. The photo appears to match the sedan in which the body was found in Huntington Beach.
"It is believed that Richard Rodriguez may have forced his way into Christi's residence and forced her to leave," the bulletin stated. "Christi did have a 9mm pistol which is unaccounted for and is believed to be in Richard's possession."
Holbrook police noted that Romero had obtained a protective order against Rodriguez, and it was served on him on Nov. 2.
Neighbors in the Huntington Beach neighborhood told KTLA5 that Rodriguez's adoptive parents live on the street where the car and body were found.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective S. McCollom at 714-960-8848. Tipsters may also call OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
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