Suspect ID'd in Reedley double murder investigation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A month after two men were found dead in a car near Reedley -- authorities have a suspect in custody. He's identified as 25 year old Eloy Romero Junior. His father works for the California Department of Justice.

George Duarte, 40, and Joseph Blunt, 38, were found dead on the side of a road mid-May. CHP officers thought they died in a car crash. But the coroner's officer revealed the men were shot to death before they crashed. The main suspect, 25-year-old Eloy Romero Junior.

"No one else was arrested," said Chris Curtice with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. "I haven't heard of anything coming down the pike but that could change, the investigation is ongoing."

Romero Junior was arrested at this home in Reedley on Wednesday following an anonymous tip.

Curtice said, "At some point Romero ran out the back door the property was pretty much shut down by law enforcement they ran around the yard and had nowhere to go."

Fresno County Sheriff's officials wouldn't confirm if the murders were related to gang activity. But Romero Junior has a history of felonies including possession of illegal firearms. Both victims also had prior convictions. Duarte with drug sales and weapons possession. Blunt with battery and domestic violence.

"There's a lot of details that have not been released to the media and that aren't going to be released to the media at this time," said Curtice. "We'll have to see if he's going to court and go to trial and a lot more information will be released at that time."

Romero Junior is in custody at the Fresno County jail. He's being held on a $2 million bond and facing two counts of murder.