WASHINGTON — Police say the 28-year-old who murdered a man in his Howard County apartment earlier this week used the victim’s credit cards, cellphone and car in the days after the crime.
On Thursday, police said 28-year-old Joseph Loverde has been charged with the murder of 62-year-old Martin Edward Mullineaux.
Howard County police found Mullineaux dead in his apartment on Tuesday in the 8700 block of Hayshed Lane in Columbia, Maryland, during a welfare check. Mullineaux had not been seen in two days.
Loverde, who police arrested Wednesday, had lived with Mullineaux “for various periods of time,” and there had been a domestic dispute between the two men in March, according to police. Mullineaux was the only person listed on the apartment’s lease, according to police.
Detectives investigated Loverde as a possible suspect after the crime, and found that the 28-year-old was using Mullineaux’s credit cards in the days after the murder. Video showed Loverde him using the cards at several businesses.
Also, police say they believe Loverde used the victim’s cellphone and drove his vehicle, a Kia Sorento, which was missing after Mullineaux’s death. The missing Kia was later recovered in a parking lot in Glen Burnie.
Police said it appears Mullineaux died “as a result of traumatic injuries,” and said that there were no signs of forced entry at his residence. Police have not released any additional details about his injuries or cause of death.
Loverde has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and vehicle theft. He is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.
