NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A man has been arrested and charged in the murder of another man who went missing in Newport News, police say.
On Wednesday, Newport News Police released details stating that Azbel Saralegi, 35, from Newport News, had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and several firearms offenses.
According to court documents, Saralegi was arrested on October 12.
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The arrest is in connection to the death of 22-year-old Tyreek Lemar Vincent, whose remains were found by police last week.
Before police found Vincent and ruled his death a homicide, he was reported missing and officers were investigating his disappearance. Court documents show the Newport News Fugitive Apprehension Unit had been attempting to located Vincent because he had outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was also considered endangered because of circumstances surrounding his leaving that pose concerns for his safety, police said.
Police say he was last seen on September 20 around 32nd Street and Chestnut Avenue. Their investigation reveals the murder likely happened that night.
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Police say a tip they got during the investigation that led them, last week, to the area of Dafia Drive in Hampton where they found him buried.
Detectives interviewed two inmates at the Newport News City Jail in their search for answers in this case. According to the arrest warrant for Saralegi, one of the inmates had admitted their involvement in luring Vincent to a home on 32nd Street in exchange for crack cocaine. They said at one point, Saralegi told them "not to ask about Mr. Vincent, as he was 'gone.'"
One of the inmates also reported seeing blood being cleaned from the bathroom, as well as seeing cartridge casings. Police say two people stated that Saralegi told them that he shot Vincent.
Police report recovering evidence including a gun that's believed to be the murder weapon in addition to bloody materials. Their investigation shows that several individuals allegedly helped conceal Vincent's body.
Newport News police are still investigating.
Police say a criminal history check on Saralegi shows he has been convicted of two felonies: grand larceny in 2015 and a carjacking in 2017.
The case is expected in Newport News General District Court on October 30.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
