Suspect Arrested In Connection to University Boulevard Homicide

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 14, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 30-year-old Jose Emilio Ortiz Alba, with the Sunday, October 13, 2024, murder of 45-year-old Hesler Saul Sanchez Cruz, of Silver Spring, in the 11300 block of Fern Street in Wheaton.

The investigation has revealed that Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District officers were in the area of University Boulevard and Fern Street when they noticed a truck on the median of University Blvd. Officers located the victim suffering from an apparent stab wound.

At approximately 3:27 a.m., Montgomery County Fire/Rescue personnel responded to the location and attempted life-saving measures on Sanchez Cruz, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore conducted an autopsy and determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Ortiz Alba as the suspect.

On Sunday, October 13, detectives obtained an arrest warrant against Ortiz Alba, charging him with first-degree murder.

On Monday, October 14, Ortiz Alba was arrested in Virginia, where he is being held. He will be extradited back to Montgomery County.

homicide