News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 8, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD)-Major Crimes Division have arrested a third suspect wanted for the homicide of 18-year-old Cristian Antonio Villagran-Morales that occurred in the Malcolm King Park located at 1200 West Side Drive in Gaithersburg and that was discovered on June 17. Oscar Ernesto Delgado-Perez, age 27, was arrested yesterday morning by Montgomery County Police officers.

On June 30, warrants were issued for four suspects who were involved in the first-degree murder of Villagran-Morales. Two of these suspects, Juan Gutierrez-Vasquez, age 16, of Queen Victoria Court in Gaithersburg and Vanesa Alvarado, age 19, of Lakeworth Drive in Gaithersburg, were both arrested on July 1 in Gaithersburg. Gutierrez-Vasquez has been charged as an adult. At that time, the Department announced that there were two additional suspects wanted for the murder: Oscar Ernesto Delgado-Perez and Jose Coreas Ventura, also known as Josue Corea, age 20, of an unknown address. Detectives continued to seek information on the wanted suspects' whereabouts. Through investigation, it was determined that Delgado-Perez was at the Red Roof Inn (located at 16001 Shady Grove Road) yesterday morning and MCPD officers arrested him there.

Detectives consider this homicide to be gang-related; All four suspects are believed to be associated with the criminal gang MS-13, and Alvarado and Gutierrez-Vasquez, upon their arrest, stated to detectives that they believed the victim to be a member of a rival gang.

During this murder investigation, detectives determined that the victim had recently met Alvarado and that the two had been communicating via telephone. Further investigation revealed that on the night of June 16, the victim planned to meet Alvarado. Detectives believe that the victim met Alvarado that evening in an anticipation of a sexual encounter. Alvarado then lured the victim to the wooded area of the park, where he was stabbed multiple times by the suspects. When Alvarado and Gutierrez-Vasquez were questioned by investigators after their arrest, both suspects made admissions regarding their involvement in the homicide.

Detectives continue to seek information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect, Jose Coreas Ventura, also known as Josue Corea, age 20, and ask that anyone with information immediately call the Montgomery County Police Department at 301-279-8000 (24/7 line). To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers to Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Jose Coreas Ventura (photo below) should be considered armed and dangerous.

This homicide investigation is ongoing and therefore additional information will not be released at this time.

Note: Gutierrez-Vasquez is a juvenile and therefore his mugshot is not being released

RLI