Balch Springs murder suspect turns himself in to Dallas County Jail
BALCH SPRINGS, Texas - After a search that lasted more than two months, U.S. Marshals said they finally have the fugitive wanted for a murder in Balch Springs.
John Edward Rivera turned himself in at the Dallas County Jail Friday morning. Authorities had been looking for the 22-year-old since July.
Rivera is accused of shooting and killing 39-year-old Bertin Albarran.
The victim’s family said they’re pleased Rivera turned himself in, but now they want the truth about what happened.
Since July, Albarran’s family has waited for answers about his murder.
They’re hoping to be one step closer after the man accused of killing him turned himself in. They also said they want Rivera to face the maximum punishment in order to get justice for their loved one.
"It’s a nightmare. We want to wake up from it, but we can’t," Albarran’s sister, Marfelia Castillo, said.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit for Rivera’s uncle, Steven Alvarado, after attending a house party on July 2, Albarran was shot and killed on Lake June Road and pushed out of a red Camaro he was borrowing from his sister.
"We want justice, we want him to pay. He didn’t have mercy on my brother. He didn’t give him a chance," Albarran’s sister, Consuelo Silva, said.
Bertin Albarran
Rivera’s uncle was arrested for reportedly tampering with evidence. He was released on bond.
Rivera's parents fled their home and have not been found, according to authorities.
A GPS tracking device on the Camaro led police to the home where the party was held. It’s where the suspect’s family lives.
Police found Alvarado in possession of Albarran’s cell phone and keys to the Camaro. Alvarado could not keep his story straight about how he got them.
Steven Alvarado
Later, cell phone tower data from Albarran’s phone, minutes after he was murdered, led police to a car wash off Elam Road in Pleasant Grove.
According to the affidavit, surveillance footage shows the Camaro pull up and Rivera getting out of the driver’s seat.
Rivera’s parents arrived nearly two hours later. His father appears to pull a gun from the Camaro and "conceals it in his waistband."
Then, Rivera’s mother reportedly pulled an unknown object from the Camaro.
According to the affidavit, Alvarado received a text message from Rivera’s mother hours after the murder, reading, "Don’t say anything about the gun."
Juan Rivera
A tampering with evidence warrant has been issued for Rivera's father, Juan.
The U.S. Marshals got involved in the case after police said Rivera ran away.
Friday morning, Rivera turned himself in to the Dallas County Jail with his attorney.
Pedro Gonzalez, with the Balch Springs Police Department, said they were caught off guard by the news.
"In 25 years, I’ve only see a handful of times where an individual who has a warrant out for their arrest comes in with an attorney, wants to be booked in and bonded out quickly, and kind of speed up the process," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said there is still an arrest warrant out for Rivera’s dad.
"Right now, we’re still looking for the dad. We don’t know where he’s at," he said.
Albarran’s sisters hope this brings long awaited answers…
"We want the truth," Castillo said.
And justice for their brother.
"To John and his family, he was a nobody, but to us, he was everything," Albarran’s sisters said.
Gonzalez said he’s unsure if a detective was able to talk with Rivera Friday.