Man Wanted for Indecency with Child, 2 Illegal Immigrants Arrested After Morning Manhunt

According to Brownwood Police Lieutenant Tracy Delgado, officers were called to the 1600 block of Avenue D regarding a verbal dispute. Investigation revealed that the resident of the home, 26-year-old Felipe Lopez, had an incident of indecency with a female younger than 14-years-old, which allegedly took place Monday evening.

Delgado reported that the mother of the victim went to the residence to confront Lopez and his wife, and detectives were called in at that time to interview the victim and her mother regarding the alleged incident.

Officers then sought a warrant for Lopez and kept a watch on his home until the early morning hours, and at approximately 5:30 a.m., two people were seen leaving the home. Officers attempted to contact the individuals and found that the two were Lopez's wife, 31-year-old Nancy Lopez and 31-year-old Juan Martinez-Mariscal who had been living in the Lopez home, according to police.

Both were found to be illegal immigrants, according to Delgado, and were taken into custody on a border patrol detainer.

Children were present in the home and Child Protective Services was called.

The suspect, Felipe Lopez, was able to evade police after fleeing the scene and led officers on a chase, escaping briefly until he was finally located at 8:25 a.m.

According to Delgado and Sergeant Michael Sheedy, officers spent several hours searching for Lopez and were able to find leads to his whereabouts by running the license plate of a vehicle parked at his home which was registered to Lopez's employer.

Officers arrived at the employer's home while looking for Lopez and asked about a storage building on the property that the employer usually kept locked, but at this time the door was open, Delgado said. Permission was granted to search the property, including the storage shed where Lopez was located.

Delgado says all law enforcement agencies within Brown County assisted in the investigation and search for the suspect. Don Carmack and Tessa, the K-9 previously with the Early Police Department, were also called to help track the suspect.

"The investigation was an amazing example of cooperation between all agencies," said Delgado.

Sgt. Sheedy added, "Through excellent police investigation the suspect was apprehended."

Lopez is currently being held in the Brown County Jail on charges of indecency with a child and evading arrest/detention.

Police say his bond hasn't been set at the time of publication.