(Updated at 6:50 p.m.) An 18-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with a murder in Alexandria.
Edwin Umana was charged in the homicide of a 22-year-old man, Eduardo Almendarez, whose body was found stabbed in Four Mile Run Park, near Potomac Yard, on Dec. 4.
Alexandria Police say the the crime was “gang-motivated” and that Umana was a member of the MS-13 gang. Almendarez was not in the gang, said Alexandria Police spokesman Crystal Nosal.
The first killing happened Nov. 9, 2015 in Beverly Park. The second Dec. 4, 2015 in Four Mile Run Park.
“The murder in Beverly Park was committed by gang members,” said Police Chief Earl Cook. “The homicide in Four Mile Run Park does involve gang-motivated activity.”
Alexandria Police also today announced that three suspects were in custody in connection with the homicide of a 24-year-old man found dead at a playground in Alexandria’s Beverly Park. That murder was also perpetrated by MS-13 members, Nosal said.
The suspects and the victims of both crimes were all undocumented immigrants, according to police.
“They are a part of the same gang, the gang is MS-13,” Cook said.
The press release about the arrest of Umana is below.
Alexandria Police have charged a suspect in connection with the homicide of Eduardo David Chandias Almendarez, who was found deceased in Four Mile Run Park on December 4, 2015.
Edwin Alexander Guerreo Umana, 18, of Arlington, was charged with Murder on January 13, 2016. He is being held without bond.
“The hard work of Alexandria Police detectives and vital assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations directly led to this arrest and closure for the victim’s family”, said Police Chief Earl Cook. “This homicide investigation continues and the Alexandria Police Department is unwavering in its determination to arrest all responsible for this young man’s death. The safety of this community is of utmost importance to us. ”
The Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation contact Detective William Oakley at 703.746.6606.
WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.
