By Glenn Counts, WCNC News (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Wilfredo Martinez lived a quiet life while he was in Charlotte, but he had a past - a past that caught up with him with Los Angeles police officers arrested the 25-year-old in connection with a California homicide.
Martinez’s arrest is indicative of Charlotte’s status as part of a gang pipeline, police said. It is not unusual for gang members from Los Angeles to come to Charlotte or Georgia or any other location where the gang has established a presence to try and hide.
“You’ll be given a place to stay, shown around the area and introduced to what’s around here,” said Det. Al Aldaz with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Martinez came to Charlotte six months ago. While he was here, Martinez held a job as a stock clerk at a supermarket. Prior to that, he was an active member of the MS-13s, a gang responsible for the murder of a 28-year-old woman, police said.
With help, Martinez was able to blend into the area, but he made a mistake when he allegedly assaulted his wife - an incident that led police to him.
Police believe Martinez was the triggerman in the Los Angeles murder. For now, he’s only being held on domestic violence charges, but his bond has been set at $250,000.
There have been several roundups of MS-13 gang members in Charlotte, but Aldaz said it would be a mistake to think that they are beaten.
“They know if something happens within a rival gang that’s already established, they can call Los Angeles,” Aldaz said. “They will send reinforcements and do whatever it takes to establish dominance over that gang.”