09-02-2010, 07:00 AM
funny, i just emailed the LA Times yesterday to ask if an arrest was ever made in this case.
A man whose family home was searched by detectives investigating the killing of Norma Lopez was identified Wednesday as a former instructional assistant at the school the Moreno Valley teen attended.
Law enforcement officials would not say Wednesday whether Lazarus Tasby, 25, was considered a suspect in the case.
MORENO VALLEY -- Riverside County sheriff's homicide detectives on Tuesday served a search warrant and seized a green SUV from a Moreno Valley home in connection to the murder investigation of 17-year-old Norma Lopez.
The home on Pegasus Way is about three blocks from the field where authorities believe the teen was kidnapped July 15 while walking home from Valley View High School.
A green sport utility vehicle parked at the home was towed. Authorities have not released any further details about the search.
Eric Muswaswa, 42, who lives in the home with his wife and son, was arrested during the search on suspicion of obstruction of justice. He was released a short time later.
The Muswaswa family attorney, Miles Clark, said the sheriff's department's real target appeared to be the son, Lazarus Tasby, and his green SUV.
Witnesses had said they saw a newer green SUV speeding away from the area where Lopez vanished.
Clark said several items were taken from Lazarus' room.
But he insisted, "In no way is Eric, or his wife, Wanda, or his son, Lazarus, responsible for the death of anyone."
Sources told KTLA that Tasby lives a few blocks from where Norma was last seen, and that he also used to work at Valley View as an assistant instructor for special education.
The sources, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Tasby had a reputation for flirting with the girls there.
"He'd take girls home and was known to be aggressive," one source said. "He didn't like rejection."
KTLA's sources also said Tasby was let go from the school at the end of the last year. School records from December 2009 confirm that.
Court records indicate a Lazarus Tasby was arrested for disorderly conduct and prostitution in October 2009. Attorney Miles Clark did say Tasby was arrested for a misdemeanor, but wouldn't say for what.
No arrests have been made in connection with Lopez's murder.
A man whose family home was searched by detectives investigating the killing of Norma Lopez was identified Wednesday as a former instructional assistant at the school the Moreno Valley teen attended.
Law enforcement officials would not say Wednesday whether Lazarus Tasby, 25, was considered a suspect in the case.
MORENO VALLEY -- Riverside County sheriff's homicide detectives on Tuesday served a search warrant and seized a green SUV from a Moreno Valley home in connection to the murder investigation of 17-year-old Norma Lopez.
The home on Pegasus Way is about three blocks from the field where authorities believe the teen was kidnapped July 15 while walking home from Valley View High School.
A green sport utility vehicle parked at the home was towed. Authorities have not released any further details about the search.
Eric Muswaswa, 42, who lives in the home with his wife and son, was arrested during the search on suspicion of obstruction of justice. He was released a short time later.
The Muswaswa family attorney, Miles Clark, said the sheriff's department's real target appeared to be the son, Lazarus Tasby, and his green SUV.
Witnesses had said they saw a newer green SUV speeding away from the area where Lopez vanished.
Clark said several items were taken from Lazarus' room.
But he insisted, "In no way is Eric, or his wife, Wanda, or his son, Lazarus, responsible for the death of anyone."
Sources told KTLA that Tasby lives a few blocks from where Norma was last seen, and that he also used to work at Valley View as an assistant instructor for special education.
The sources, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Tasby had a reputation for flirting with the girls there.
"He'd take girls home and was known to be aggressive," one source said. "He didn't like rejection."
KTLA's sources also said Tasby was let go from the school at the end of the last year. School records from December 2009 confirm that.
Court records indicate a Lazarus Tasby was arrested for disorderly conduct and prostitution in October 2009. Attorney Miles Clark did say Tasby was arrested for a misdemeanor, but wouldn't say for what.
No arrests have been made in connection with Lopez's murder.