Suspect Charged in Long Reach Murder

COLUMBIA, MD — The suspect in a Columbia homicide was found using the victim's credit cards and driving the deceased's vehicle in Glen Burnie, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Joseph P. Loverde, 28, of no fixed address, has been charged with first and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and vehicle theft.

Police allege Loverde had a personal relationship with Martin Edward Mullineaux, 62, who was found dead at his apartment in the 8700 block of Hayshed Lane Tuesday with traumatic injuries.

Mullineaux had allowed Loverde to live with him at various points in time, including in March when there was a domestic call at the residence, and police learned there had been recent contact between the two.

As investigators worked on the homicide case, police said Loverde bought things with Mullineaux's credit cards, transactions captured on video; he used the victim's cell phone in the days after the murder; and he was driving Mullineaux's Kia Sorento, which was missing when the body was found Tuesday.

Detectives took Loverde into custody in the 500 block of North Crain Highway, where he was walking around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, police reported. The vehicle was found in a Glen Burnie parking lot, officials said.

Booking photo of Joseph Loverde courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.