Arrest Made In Weekend Murder

From city Communications Director Brett Broesder:

Detectives secured two arrest warrants this morning for the April 11 murder of a 57-year-old man fatally shot in the grocery store he owns.

One suspect is in custody and has admitted his role in the fatal shooting of Jose Salgado. Detectives are seeking the second suspect.

“As a community, we send our love and compassion to the Salgado family. The community truly has come together after this tragedy,” 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. He is being held on unrelated charges in New Haven. Bridgeport detectives secured a warrant charging him with felony murder. Police 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 in the community 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.”

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 niece of the victim. “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” who is now in a better place. He 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 Saturday afternoon at his grocery store on Lexington Avenue, where he was working with his wife when the two robbers entered.

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

“Part of what makes Bridgeport such a great community is this tight-knit Portuguese community,” said Mayor Bill 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 during the investigation.

>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 general 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.

“Even though we have some of the lowest crime we’ve had in 50 years, when something like this happens, you realize that the statistics go out the window because we have a grieving family and we have a pillar of our society who was lost,” said Mayor Finch.

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4 comments

  1. A senseless and ruthless killing. Although I do not know the victim, my heart goes out to his family and friends. As for these two cold-blooded killers, they are no strangers to murder, as it certainly appears there is evidence they killed another man in New Haven. Give them the death penalty and spare society the expense of allowing them to live out their lives in prison.

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  2. If you watch this video to the end you will see Finch repeatedly utilize this press conference as an opportunity to promote his re-election. It really angered me when I watched this.

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    1. Maria, everything Mayor Finch does, he does because he is the Mayor and has been the Mayor for eight years. Would you prefer the Mayor act as though he is auditioning for the job? Couldn’t you just acknowledge the press conference for the sad photo op it was?

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