An arrest has been in the 2010 murder of a man fatally shot as he tried to thwart a beer theft at a Phoenix convenience store.
Manuel Salazar III was arrested in Durango, Mexico, over the weekend for the February 2010 murder of 23-year-old Lance Taylor.
Salazar was trying to steal beer from a Phoenix Circle K near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road when Taylor intervened. He told Salazar to put the beer back, which he did -- and then pulled out a gun.
As he was walking out of the store, Salazar waved the gun in the air while yelling at Taylor and store employees.
As Salazar was walking out of the store, Taylor's wife was standing in
the doorway. That's when Salazar pistol-whipped her, and things got
physical.
Trying to protect his wife, Taylor approached Salazar from behind, but
the alleged thug turned and shot him before he could get his hands on
the would-be beer thief.
Salazar fled in a car with his girlfriend, and Taylor later died at an area hospital.
Phoenix police suspected Salazar had fled to Mexico. His parents --
Manuel Salazar Ochoa and Carlota Retana-Parra -- and sister, Claudia
Partricia Salazar, were later arrested on
suspicion of hindering prosecution, a felony.
Salazar is being held in Mexico City as he awaits extradition back to Phoenix.
