Editor’s note: This news release is from The Associated Press via kwqc.com.
On Sunday, October 30, 2016, Morrison Police arrested 24-year-old Carlos Marlo Hernandez-Ventura on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He was held in the Whiteside County Jail, Morrison[, IL].
Authorities will seek to return Hernandez-Ventura to Dallas County, IA, to face charges in the deaths of 34-year-old Lourdes Flor De Leak and her daughter, 14-year-old Melany Elizabeth Barraz. All three lived at a Perry, IA, home, where the bodies of Flor De Leak and Barraz were found Saturday night, October 29.
A 78-year-old man, whose name was not released, was found injured at the home. He is hospitalized in critical condition.
Editor’s note: The following interview with Morrison Chief of Police Brian Melton took place Tuesday, November 1, at 8:00 a.m.
Never has someone knocked on the door of the Morrison Police Department about 2:30 a.m., seeking medical aid for “deep lacerations on his wrapped hand.” For the MPD Officer on duty, those “pretty significant lacerations” made the injury “suspicious.” Professional training and “a gut feeling” caused him to stay with Carlos Marlo Hernandez-Ventura, as the latter was transported to Morrison Community Hospital.
Even though the injured man was “very cooperative,” discovering how he hurt himself was complicated. He speaks no English; the local Policeman speaks no Spanish. Ever resourceful, however, the Officer used a mobile app to translate what Hernandez-Ventura said.
He then researched other agencies and found that Perry, IA, was looking for a suspect.
“It was great work by Morrison Police Department!” stated Brian Melton, Chief of Police. Four of his five Officers collaborated in the team effort, by interviewing an injured possible suspect; contacting MCH EMS; staying all day with the man at the hospital; searching for law enforcement agencies seeking a suspect; contacting the Perry officials; processing the suspect; searching for his vehicle; arranging towing; filing vehicle paperwork. A 6:00 a.m. MPD shift change necessitated informing new members of the situation; the first shift stayed in place for that. Melton said he “managed from the phone. They had it taken care of.”
“The vehicle we recovered was stolen [in Iowa],” stated Melton. “We believe it was taken from the murder scene. It was found west of town on [U. S.] Route 30. We believe [Hernandez-Ventura] drove it until he ran out of gas.” Perry is west of Des Moines, IA.
Hernandez-Ventura remains in the Whiteside County Jail. “He waived extradition to return to Iowa in the very near future. The Major Case Squad from Iowa came with a translator, Sunday[, October 30,] to get the full information,” stated the Chief.
Chief Melton concluded, “I’ve been involved in too many cases that cross state lines. It’s amazing how well [different law enforcement agencies] work together, quickly, to help other Officers. We’re just happy to help seek justice for the victims.”