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One Suspect Arrested, Second Sought In Weekend Homicide In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Thanks to evidence about their car, one suspect was in custody and a second was being sought in the April 11 fatal shooting of a 57-year-old Bridgeport man in the grocery store he owns, police and city officials announced Wednesday. 

Bridgeport police are seeking Treizy Lopez, 18, of New Haven in connection with a weekend homicide of a grocery store owner.

Bridgeport police are seeking Treizy Lopez, 18, of New Haven in connection with a weekend homicide of a grocery store owner.

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department
Leighton Vanderberg, 22, of New Haven, has been charged with felony murder in the shooting death of a Bridgeport grocery store owner over the weekend.

Leighton Vanderberg, 22, of New Haven, has been charged with felony murder in the shooting death of a Bridgeport grocery store owner over the weekend.

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Mayor Bill Finch and Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi announce an arrest in an April 11 homicide. Police are seeking a second suspect.

Photo Credit: cityofbptct

Detectives secured two arrest warrants Wednesday morning in the fatal shooting of Jose Salgado at Sapiao's Grocery at 351 Lexington Ave. at about 3 p.m. Saturday.  

“As a community, we send our love and compassion to the Salgado family,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Today shows the strength of the fabric of our community and illustrates the dedication of our police officers and detectives, who work hard every day keeping our kids and families safe and bringing people to justice who commit senseless violence.”

Leighton Vanderberg, 22, of New Haven, was questioned Tuesday by Bridgeport detectives and acknowledged a role in the robbery attempt and killing, police said. He was being held on unrelated charges in New Haven. Bridgeport detectives secured a warrant charging him with felony murder.

Police also secured a warrant for felony murder for a second man, Treizy Lopez, 18, also of New Haven. He is not yet in custody and is believed to be in the New Haven area.

Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police.

“To Mr. Lopez. I have something to say to him: Do yourself a favor if you are watching this and turn yourself in to police. We’re going to find you. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find where you are and you’re going to be brought to justice,” Nardozzi said. 

Salgado’s family was informed Tuesday of the arrest.

“I can’t express enough how much we appreciate what Bridgeport police did for our family,” said Fernanda Guerrera, the victim's niece. “They have left no stone unturned. They’ve worked on no sleep to make sure my family has some level of closure and justice.”

Joe Salgado described his father as an “amazing man” and expressed appreciation for the many people who stopped by the grocery store or called to show “their love for my father.”

“I trust completely that our police department will bring this remaining suspect to justice and that justice will be served,” he said.

Salgado was fatally shot at his grocery store while working with his wife when the two robbers entered.

Finch described Salgado and his family as a pillar of the community.

“Part of what makes Bridgeport such a great community is this tight-knit Portuguese community,” said Finch. He said Salgado was known for his generous nature.

“Had he met these suspects earlier in their lives, they wouldn’t have turned to crime because he was always giving. He was one of those people who would help people in the neighborhood.”

Detectives worked closely with the FBI, New Haven Police, the Department of Motor Vehicles and both Ford Motor Co. and Park City Ford.

Bridgeport Police Lt. Chris Lamaine said assistance from the dealership and from the corporate office of Ford was key in tracking down the suspect’s vehicle, a Ford Focus, which was seen fleeing the scene after the shooting.

Initially, police received a list of 7,600 vehicles matching the description of the suspect’s car. Working with the DMV and Ford, detectives were able to narrow the list down to 18 vehicles and ultimately down to one.

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