Man confessed to murder and involvement of his brother, Phoenix police say

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona’s family has learned more about the Phoenix brothers accused of murdering a man found in a burning car last month.

According to Phoenix police, suspects Jose and Roberto Lomeli were arrested this weekend.

They believe the brothers worked together: one pulled the trigger while the other helped cover up the incident with a fire in the canal.

Phoenix police said they learned from a jailhouse confession what happened in April when the body of 26-year-old Jose de Jesus Loeza was found in a burning car in the canal.

“It was then that Jose was able to give investigators more details about what happened that night,” Phoenix Police Sergeant Brian Bower said.

Bower said it started when firefighters received a call on the morning of April 1 about a car on fire in the canal near 55th Avenue and Osborn Road.

When firefighters extinguished the fire, they discovered a body inside, but the coroner concluded that the victim did not die from the flames.

“In this particular case, we believe the gunshots were the cause of death,” Bower said.

The Phoenix Police Department’s homicide squad then took over the case.

They identified the victim as Loeza and said their investigation led them to the Lomeli brothers, Jose and Roberto.

Sergeant Bower said when they were brought in for questioning, Jose lost his temper and told police he was the one who shot Loeza.

“One of them was responsible for the murder of the victim. His brother was responsible for aiding and abetting the investigation, as well as for arson and aiding and abetting arson,” Bower said.

Bower said an argument broke out between Jose Lomeli and Loeza at a house in the area and Jose Lomeli opened fire.

He said the brothers worked together to put Loeza in the trunk of his own car, set the car on fire and abandon it in the canal.

Bower said the evidence in the case was still being reviewed and processed.

“The entire car itself is considered evidence, whether there are bullet fragments or bullet holes,” Bower said.

Jose Lomeli’s own involvement in the case led to a second-degree murder charge, including arson and abandonment of a corpse. Roberto Lomeli is also charged with arson and abandonment of a corpse.

Because this is an open and active investigation, Phoenix police would not provide any information about how the Lomeli brothers knew the victim or what the altercation was about.

Both brothers must appear in court again later this week.

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