Last week the Dos Palos Police Department revealed the alleged murderer of an elderly city resident was his own son.
Police have arrested 43-year-old Porfirio Romero Jr. of Dos Palos on suspicion of murder and evading law enforcement. He is being held at Merced County Jail on a $1.2 million bond.
Dos Palos Police Chief Dayton Snyder confirmed the victim was Porfirio Romero Sr., 80, of Dos Palos.
The homicide was discovered Dec. 16 at approximately 2:15 p.m. when officers conducted a welfare check at a residence on the 2300 block of Santos Avenue. They found the elder Romero deceased with severe physical injuries.
Following further investigation, Romero Jr. was named as a person of interest by police.
Snyder described the incident as tragic.
“It’s a tragedy. These type of things rock the whole community,” Snyder said. “ want people to know this was an isolated incident and Dos Palos is still a safe community.”
Romero Jr. was apprehended Dec. 17 in Fresno after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a car chase that began in Merced County on Highway 152 near Lincoln Road.
He was then taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries he reportedly suffered from a law enforcement K-9, authorities said.
Romero Sr.’s death marked the first homicide in Dos Palos since 2018.
The homicide investigation remains active, and detectives are continuing to gather evidence and conduct interviews, police said.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Det. Coronado at the Dos Palos Police Department at 209-392-2176.
