Reward offered in triple homicide case

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

The Elmore County Sheriffs Office received notification from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that a $5,000 reward is being offered for the arrest of Jorge Alberto Lopez-Orozco.

Orozco is wanted in connection with the triple homicide that occurred in August of 2002, in a remote location in Elmore County.

The Elmore County Sheriffs Office also has received DNA results back positively identifying the three people in the burned-out car that was located last August.

The DNA results have identified the three as that of Rebecca Ramirez , her 2-year-old son Miguel, and her 4-year-old son Ricardo.

Jorge Alberto Lopez-Orozco allegedly shot and killed Rebecca Ramirez and her two children in August of 2002. Jorge then allegedly burned the car and fled to San Jose, Calif., before eventually fleeing to Mexico.

Detectives from the Idaho State Police and Elmore County Sheriff's Office and Federal Officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation( FBI )and Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) have continued to work numerous leads in the case since last August.

"It should be noted that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has contributed significant funds to assist in this investigation," said detective Capt. Mike Barclay of the Elmore County Sheriff's Department.

Jorge Lopez-Orozco has been charged with three counts of First Degree Murder, three counts of Kidnapping, one count of Unlawful Flight to avoid Prosecution.

Law Enforcement investigators now believe that Jorge could have re-entered the United States recently. Should anyone come in contact with Jorge they should contact law enforcement. Jorge is considered armed and dangerous.

Detectives have been able to secure arrest warrants for Jorge's brother, Simon Lopez-Orozco, and Simon's common law wife, Maria Garcia. Both have outstanding warrants for Accessory to Murder.

Barclay alleged that the investigation has found that both Simon and Maria helped Jorge flee the state of Idaho to California after Jorge supposedly confessed to them about the killings. Simon and Maria are believed to be hiding in San Jose, Calif.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations and The Elmore County Sheriff's Office has wanted posters out for all three individuals and will be placing them in the community and abroad.

The agencies involved have been contacted by the well-known FOX televison show "America's Most Wanted." Producers are interested in airing a full segment on the triple homicide in hopes to capture the fugitives.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Jorge Lopez-Orozco, Simon Lopez-Orozco or Maria Garcia, they are asked to contact Det. Clint Andrus or Capt. Mike Barclay of the Elmore County Sheriff's Office at 208-587-2121, Detective Kevin Hudgens of the Idaho State Police at (208) 884-7110, or Scott Mace of the FBI in Boise at 344-7843. Any information received on the whereabouts of the fugitives can be treated as an anonymous tip and may qualify that person for the $5,000 reward.

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