Houston Police Department

October 15, 2006 -- Charges have been filed against one suspect arrested and two suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of two men at 7650 Clarewood about 5:35 a.m. on October 8.

Fernando Betancourt (H/m, 6/5/82), is charged with capital murder in the 337th
State District Court. He was arrested on Friday, October 13th without incident and remains in the Harris County jail.

Two other suspects, Jose Paulo Betancourt (H/m, 5/12/85), and Suspect #3, Aucencio Betancourt (H/m, 12/18/74), are also charged with capital murder in the 337th State District Court. Both men are believed to have fled the city shortly after the killings and are still at-large.

The suspects are accused in the killings of Rodrigo Alfaro Trejo, 35, and David Alfaro Martinez, 24, both of 7650 Clarewood, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Trejo died at the scene while Mr. Martinez was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he later died.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J.W. Belk and Officer M.J. Miller reported:

The follow-up investigation revealed that the two victims (Trejo and Martinez) were involved in a construction material theft ring operating primarily in Fort Bend County. In fact, the victims were named suspects in several construction theft cases being investigated by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's office at the time of their deaths. The Betancourt suspects, who are brothers, are believed to also have been involved in the aforementioned theft ring in which individuals would drive old vans to new home construction sites and steal lumber and other construction materials.

For some unknown reason, the victims and the suspects began feuding and threats were made over the course of several weeks, according to witnesses. In response to the feud, the victims allegedly torched several vehicles used by the theft ring. In retaliation for these arsons, the suspects drove to the St. Clarewood Apartments in the early morning hours of October 8th and ambushed the victims. Trejo and Martinez were backing out of a parking space and leaving for work, when the suspects approached them from behind and started shooting at the driver's side of the van. After being shot several times, Trejo drove his van into a parked vehicle in the parking lot. Martinez was shot in the back as he jumped out of the vehicle fleeing from the suspect. Trejo attempted to hide behind the driver's seat of the van, but the suspect opened the side cargo doors and shot the victim several more times.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose and Aucencio Betancourt is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Updated: NJM/JFC 10/15/06
GO/JFC 10-9-06
Inc #155378506

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.