Arrest Made In Missing Windsor Man's Death: Sonoma Sheriff's Office

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Rosa man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of a Windsor man who had been missing for more than a week, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday in a news release.

Detectives with the sheriff's Violent Crimes Unit arrested Juan Antonio Martinez, 33, of Santa Rosa, on suspicion of killing the Windsor man who was reported missing to the Santa Rosa Police Department June 13 after he was last seen on West Steele Lane in Santa Rosa.

Meanwhile, the Windsor Police Department started an investigation because the victim lived in Windsor.

"Given the suspicious nature of his disappearance, Violent Crimes Detectives were notified and took over the investigation," the sheriff's office said.

During the investigation, detectives learned that on the morning of June 10, the victim was last seen leaving Windsor with Martinez and a large amount of cash to buy a car. It is believed that Martinez and the victim went to various cities within and outside of Sonoma County looking for a car to buy.

"Later that afternoon, Martinez shot and killed the victim on Windsor River Road near Kensington Lane," the sheriff's office said. "Martinez fled the area, driving westbound on back roads. He then buried the victim in a shallow grave in the 5000 block of Eastside Road, Forestville. Detectives learned he discarded the gun nearby, cleaned his pickup truck, and threw away his clothes."

According to the sheriff's office, on Saturday, a man disguising his voice called the victim’s wife demanding ransom and told her not to involve the police. She later called Windsor Police Department.

On Monday, detectives found Martinez’s pickup truck abandoned in the 5000 block of Westside Road in Healdsburg. It is alleged there was blood inside the truck.

Early Tuesday afternoon, detectives received a tip about Martinez’s location and found him near Southwest Community Park in Santa Rosa. Martinez was arrested without incident.

It is alleged that detectives later found the victim’s money in Martinez’s home.

Martinez was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of homicide, robbery and extortion, and remained in custody Wednesday without bail.

"We have tentatively identified the victim and will release his name after we biologically confirm his identity," the sheriff's office said. "We’d like to thank the Santa Rosa Police Department for their assistance. We also had several very helpful and cooperative community members who helped us solve this case. We appreciate their critical cooperation and assistance."