Three arrested for obstruction of justice in WinCo murder case
Aug 17, 2022, 8:57 AM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 11:28 am
Three suspects are believed to have gotten help fleeing police in a murder case. (Mengshin Lin/Deseret News)
(Mengshin Lin/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Three more people have been arrested in connection to a murder case that happened in May at a South Salt Lake WinCo.
Police say the three have been helping four murder suspects in their continued efforts to flee from police, after being charged with murder and robbery back in May.
The suspects are 24-year-old McKennalyn Cummins of Portage, Utah; 30-year-old Terell Jones of Roy; 21-year-old Stafon Coleman of Roy; and 27-year-old Damian Coleman Jr. of Roy. They were each charged with murder and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies; and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony in early May.
According to police, they believe Cummins set up the robbery of the 27-year-old victim, Romeo Stevens on May 9.
Stevens was shot three times on Main Street in South Salt Lake near the WinCo entrance. When police arrived, Stevens was found dead and Coleman Jr. had already driven Coleman and Jones away from the scene.
Obstruction of justice
Coleman Jr. has since been arrested but the other three suspects are still on the run. Police said the three’s continued evasion of police is thanks to the help of the Coleman’s parents and one of their girlfriends
Their father, 49-year-old Damian Coleman Sr.; their stepmother, Kenya Susette Coleman; and Coleman’s girlfriend, 20-year-old Liana Deleon Guerrero Blas have now all been arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice.
Police believe the three helped the suspects escape to different states. Blas is believed to have joined them and also helped the suspects find places to live in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.
According to police documents, Kenya Coleman denied knowing who the suspects were and Coleman Sr. denied any knowledge of the getaway vehicle registered under his name.
Coleman Sr. told police he would go back to jail but would not give any information assisting with the arrest of his children.
South Salt Lake Police say the suspects should still be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Coleman’s 18-month-old son has also been listed as missing and endangered. South Salt Lake Police believe the baby might be with his father.
Anyone with information about the outstanding suspects is asked to contact police at nhill@sslc.gov or by calling 801-412-3655.
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