LAS VEGAS MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER AFTER TRAFFIC STOP

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A routine traffic stop in Las Vegas led to the arrest of a man wanted for murder after a shocking incident that occurred in December 2022. Ricky Sanchez was pulled over by a Metro police officer for driving with an expired California license plate, but what the officer didn’t know at the time was that Sanchez was wanted for allegedly causing the death of Florencio Lomeli.

According to police documents obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators, Sanchez is accused of punching Lomeli, an employee at an autobody shop, in December 2022. The punch reportedly led to Lomeli hitting his head on a vehicle lift, causing fatal injuries. Despite initially seeking medical attention for symptoms like headaches and nausea, Lomeli tragically passed away days later after being found unconscious in his home.

Witnesses at the autobody shop reported hearing Sanchez demand money from Lomeli before the altercation took place. It was believed that Lomeli owed money to Sanchez’s father, who owned a neighboring autobody shop. Sanchez later admitted to police that he punched Lomeli because he felt disrespected and viewed as a joke.

Sanchez had been evading authorities since the incident, but he eventually contacted a detective out of fear of being arrested. He was initially facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter, but the warrant filed against him was upgraded to open murder.

After his arrest, Sanchez appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court where Judge Harmony Letizia released him with strict conditions, including GPS monitoring and regular check-ins. A preliminary hearing for Sanchez’s case is scheduled for August 22.

The shocking turn of events in this case serves as a reminder of the tragic consequences of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims like Florencio Lomeli.