AMARILLO, TEXAS -- UPDATE 4:15 PM: Pronews 7 continues to follow the homicide investigation out of Canyon. Two big breaks in the case. The suspect is behind bars and the victim's missing car has been found. Canyon Police Chief Dale Davis says Henry "Hal" Moreland's family is relieved to hear the news of the arrest, just days after Moreland's body was discovered inside his Canyon home.
Tuesday night, an anonymous tip to Amarillo Police lead investigators to a house in the 4000 blk. of S. Polk. The suspect, Elisandro Antonio Nava was arrested after police searched the house and found him hiding inside. He now sits at the Randall County Jail. Then, Wednesday morning, Amarillo Police found Moreland's missing 2003 silver Toyota Corolla in a field in North Amarillo. Chief Dale Davis says it's because of pooled resources they were able to find the suspect so quickly and the car.
"I can tell you we're a small agency at Canyon Police Department and anytime we have a case of this magnitude we had to pull out resources. Could we of done it through Canyon Police Department, yes, it would of just taken a long time," said Chief Dale Davis, Canyon Police Department.
"The assistance we received from Randall County Sheriff's office, as well as Amarillo Police Department the SWAT is priceless and it's great that all these agencies work so close together," adds Davis. He adds Nava and Moreland were acquaintances, and are still trying to determine a motive and if Nava acted alone. "Anytime we have a crime of this nature, the question is did he act alone? And that answer has not come to us yet," adds Davis.
We'll keep you posted as the investigation continue.
UPDATE 11:10: ProNews 7 has learned that the missing Toyota Corolla of homicide victim, Hal Moreland, has been found in a field north of Amarillo. We'll keep you updated on this story as it develops.
Previously Posted: The suspect wanted in the latest murder in Canyon has been caught.
Elisandro Antonio "Alex" Nava was captured by Amarillo Police officers Tuesday night at 10:15pm. An anonymous tip led police to a residence in the 4000 block of S. Polk. APD officers searched the building, and found Nava hiding inside. He was taken into custody without incident, and taken to the Randall County Jail.
Police are still looking for the victim's 2003 silver Toyota Corolla, that was missing from the victim's home. The tag number on the car was PXH-809 when it was taken. There is also a blue Storm Chaser sticker on the back window. Police say a blue and white parking permit may also be on the rear window.
Canyon Police and the Randall County Sheriff's Office are offering a $500.00 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the missing car.
A release from the Canyon Police Department credits teamwork between the Randall County Sheriff's Office, the Amarillo Police Department, and themselves with cracking this case.
Canyon Police Chief Dale Davis said, "I commend the investigators with the way the agencies came together. Many hours of hard work were put into the case by all involved. There is more work to follow once the vehicle is located. I am pleased that Mr. Nava is in custody. Next of kin were notified of the apprehension shortly after Nava was arrested."
