Police Arrest Accused Murderer Who Posed As Lyft Driver
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CARROLLTON (CBSDFW.COM) - Carrollton police have arrested the person they say killed a Garland man after he and his girlfriend mistakenly got into a car that they thought was from a ride-share service.
Officers from the Carrollton Police Department and U.S. Marshals arrested Donaldo Velasquez at his home in The Colony Wednesday night. Officials say the 44-year-old has a criminal history for minor offenses.
It was in the early morning hours of July 31 when Arnold Pinilla called a ride sharing service to take him and his girlfriend home safely from a Carrollton restaurant. Police say when Pinilla and his girlfriend climbed into the car they quickly realized something was wrong. The girlfriend later told police the inside of the vehicle didn't look like a ride-share car and the driver wasn't behaving professionally.
Police say Velasquez began arguing with Pinilla about being paid for the ride and ultimately stabbed him while in the 1000 block of Myers Street. Pinilla, 34, died later from his injuries.
During a press conference Pinilla's mother, Esperanza Balaguera, said, "I want to thank the police department and investigators and all of the people who helped... to be able to arrest this man. I just ask God to make [sic] justice, that he will have to pay for what he did."
For now, Velasquez remains in the Carrollton City Jail, but he is expected to be transferred to the Dallas County Jail soon.
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