A killing that shook a Connecticut beach community has produced its first arrest. Milford police say the arrest is just the first, with more expected, in a home invasion that left a man dead and his significant other seriously injured in early June.
The attack came in the dead of night. Nearly two months ago, intruders entered a Milford home on Fort Trumbull Beach through a rear sliding door while the couple inside slept.
The toll was devastating. 69-year-old Fred Werner was shot and died at the scene, while his significant other, 69-year-old Sandra Cooper, was shot in the head but survived.
The investigation began immediately and leaned heavily on technology. Detectives started interviewing neighbors and reviewing area cameras, and police searched their license plate reader database, which Chief Keith Mello said was vital in helping identify the vehicle used in the crime and ultimately the suspects.
The scope of the police effort has been extensive. Mello said 27 search warrants have been executed so far and the work is not done, which is why police will not comment on a motive and will not discuss the suspect's relationship to the victims, beyond affirming that this was not a random act of violence.
The suspect was quietly brought before a judge before the news was made public. Stuar Lopez-Reyes was arraigned Friday, his warrant is currently sealed, and he remains held on a $3 million bond, due back in court on August 11th.
Police stressed this is only the beginning of the case. They said they expect to make other arrests, and that Cooper has been released from the hospital and continues to recover, and has been made aware of the arrest.