Subway Murder Suspects Released, Police Not Talking
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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - Dallas police today aren't saying how the wrong men were arrested for murdering a worker during a robbery at a Subway restaurant in June.
But, the detective in charge of the case is now facing what police have described as an "administrative" review. The lack of progress in the case leading to intense disappointment in the restaurant's Oak Cliff neighborhood.
"This place used to stay open to 11, now 10, sometimes 9," says Subway regular Louie Mitchem, adding: "and I understand why." Although Mitchem says the sandwich shop in the Wynnewood Village shopping center is one of his "favorite places to eat", he visits less often since one of the restaurant's popular workers, 28-year-old Leonardo Ortega was gunned down while he and another employee were closing the store. Two men originally arrested and charged with capital murder have been released, the charges dropped.
"That really concerns me," says Mitchem, who lives nearby. "I don't go out at night anymore, not too particular about going out in the day time."
According to Dallas police, a crime stoppers tip led them to Christopher Miller. Anderson Jones was later named as an accomplice and both men were arrested in early August. But, CBS 11 reported last week that charges against Jones were being dropped. No surprise then that the case against Christopher Miller unraveled as well—with police now pointing to "inconsistencies" in his statements.
Grainy surveillance video showed three men running from the scene of the crime toward a nearby apartment complex. And many in the community believe the killers haven't gone far.
"I really believe it's someone around in this area, in this neighborhood," says Mitchem, "I really do." He also believes police could have done more to find those responsible. "They're not really concerned about the welfare of the neighborhood," adding, "if this had been North Dall somewhere they would have already caught those people."
Meanwhile, workers at the Subway restaurant tell CBS 11 that they work in fear—knowing that the killers still walk the street. And suspecting that they still stroll the busy sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
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