Second Update: August 18, 2015
Dallas Police continue to pursue leads regarding the capital murder case that occurred on June 14, 2015 when during a robbery of a Subway restaurant at 655 W. Illinois Ave., where employee Leonardo Ortega was shot and killed.
On July 31, 2015, Officers, acting on a Crime Stoppers tip, made contact with Christopher Miller. Mr. Miller voluntarily came to Dallas Police headquarters and met with detectives, where he admitted involvement in the offense. Anderson Jones was identified as an accomplice. When Mr. Jones was located, he was found to be in possession of marijuana and was arrested and held on a possession of marijuana charge and the capital murder, while the case was further investigated.
During a case review, detectives found inconsistencies in Mr. Miller’s statements and determined his explanation to be unreliable. On August 13, 2015, after conferring with the DA’s office, Dallas Police released the capital murder charges against Mr. Anderson Jones and Mr. Christopher Miller. An administrative investigation has been initiated to determine if the case detective followed procedures relating to the Dallas Police Department’s policies.
Mr. Ortega’s family has been kept abreast of the developments in this case. This case remains an open investigation and detectives will continue to pursue all leads to find the persons responsible for the capital murder of Mr. Ortega.
Updated: August 2, 2015
On June 14, 2015, the victim Leonardo Ortega and another employee were in the process of closing the Subway Store located at 655 W. Illinois Street, in the Wynnewood Shopping Center. Two male suspects entered the store with their face and head covered while the third male suspect stood outside in the parking lot as the look out. Suspect #1 points a handgun at the victim and witness and demands the money. Suspect #2 took the money from the register. A struggle ensues between Suspect #1 and the victim. Suspect #1 then shoots the victim Leonardo Ortega killing him. During the investigation it was determined that Suspect Anderson Jones B/M 6/5/1978 and Christopher Miller B/M 6/6/1980 committed this offense, both suspects were arrested August 2, 2015, and charged with Capital Murder. One unidentified suspect remains at large. Please see the probable cause affidavit below for more information.
Original Post: June 15, 2015
On June 14, 2015, the victim, Leonardo Ortega, Latin male 28, was working at the Subway located at 655 W. Illinois Ave. Right before closing time, at approximately 10:52 p.m., two unknown Black male suspects, possibly in their 20s, entered the business and jumped the counter. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim and another employee demanding money. A third suspect waited outside and was acting as a lookout. A struggle ensued between the victim and the suspects. One of the suspects shot the victim numerous times in the torso. All three suspects fled the location southbound, running towards the Wynnewood Garden Apartments on Garapan Drive. The suspects stole an undetermined amount of money.
The Dallas Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects that murdered Mr. Ortega. If anyone has information, please call Detective Perez at (214)671-3608 or Crime Stoppers at (214) 373-TIPS. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000.00 for information that will lead to the arrest and indictment of this felony offense.
In addition to Crime Stoppers, Oak Farms Dairy is also offering a $10,000 reward. Oak Farms will pay $10,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and indictment of the individuals responsible.
Below is surveillance video that was captured from the shopping center. The video is not of good quality and detectives are asking if anyone saw the three suspects around the time of the offense to please call Detective Perez at (214)671-3608 or Crime Stoppers at (214) 373-TIPS.