Richard Pastor Perez accused of murder after car found in Albuquerque

Richard Pastor Perez faces a murder warrant in Denton after investigators traced a missing vehicle to Albuquerque. Federal agents and local police are actively seeking the suspect following the disappearance of his estranged wife.

The Denton Police Department and FBI Dallas are searching for Perez, 49. Investigators said they believe he murdered his estranged wife, Marjulin Daiuru Briceño Arrieta.

Her family reported her missing to police. She met Perez on Sept. 28 at his apartment in the 1900 block of N. Ruddell Street.

Relatives filed a report when they could reach neither person. Police said both individuals were unavailable.

Officers found the vehicle of Briceño Arrieta abandoned near the apartment. Perez owned a white 2013 Ford Escape that was missing.

The license plate was reportedly swapped. Surveillance cameras recorded plate XLC1016 on Highway 287 in Wichita Falls around 9 p.m. Sept. 28.

The vehicle appeared just after 1 a.m. Sept. 29 in Donley County. That location sits southeast of Amarillo.

Cameras recorded the SUV at 10:44 p.m. Sept. 29. It was westbound on I-40 just west of Amarillo.

Officials said the SUV was later found in Albuquerque. Detectives said hotel video showed the car arriving on Sept. 30.

A man matching the description of Perez exited the vehicle. He abandoned the car in the parking lot. He was alone.

“Based on evidence recovered during the investigation, detectives believe Perez killed Briceño Arrieta and have obtained an arrest warrant for murder,” said the Denton Police Department.

Homicide warrants allow law enforcement agencies across multiple states to coordinate search efforts. Multi-jurisdictional cases involve local police and federal partners sharing evidence across state lines.

Tips can be submitted to Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477). People can also use the Denton County Crime Stoppers website. The organization offers a cash reward of up to $2,000.