Authorities say a stolen GMC pickup linked to the victim helped police locate the suspects at a southeast Dallas motel.
DALLAS, Texas — A 19-year-old man and a juvenile accused in a Louisiana homicide were arrested in Dallas after investigators tracked a vehicle stolen from the victim to a motel, authorities said.
Jamie Santos Martinez, 19, and the juvenile are expected to face first-degree murder and motor vehicle theft charges in Lafayette Parish, according to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities identified the victim as Jorge Andino Espinal, 35, of Lafayette. The investigation remained active Thursday.
Lafayette Parish deputies were called about 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, to the 200 block of Despain Street. Investigators found Espinal dead and learned that a vehicle registered to him had been taken from the residence. A preliminary report from the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office found that Espinal died from gunshot wounds.
Investigators used surveillance information and assistance from Dallas police to trace the vehicle to Texas, authorities said. Dallas officers located a white GMC pickup associated with the case at a Motel 6 in the 9600 block of C.F. Hawn Freeway in southeast Dallas.
Dallas police received an alert connected to the vehicle and officers went to the motel, according to local reporting. Police surrounded the property and identified the room where the people associated with the truck were staying. Martinez and the juvenile sought by Louisiana investigators were taken into custody.
Video from the Dallas scene showed three people leaving the motel room as officers carried out the arrests. Authorities have publicly identified Martinez and the juvenile as suspects in the Louisiana case. Officials had not announced homicide charges against the third person seen leaving the room.
Dallas County jail records listed Martinez on holds related to first-degree murder and theft of a motor vehicle. The records also showed an immigration hold. The juvenile’s name has not been released because of the suspect’s age.
Authorities have not released a detailed account of what happened before Espinal was killed or disclosed what evidence led investigators to seek first-degree murder charges. Officials also have not publicly identified a motive. Reports describing the case as a carjacking rely on law enforcement accounts that the victim’s vehicle was taken in connection with the homicide.
The arrests came less than two days after deputies responded to the Lafayette Parish crime scene. Investigators said cooperation between Louisiana authorities and Dallas police, along with surveillance and vehicle-tracking information, helped locate the suspects after they traveled to Texas.
Louisiana authorities said Martinez and the juvenile were being returned to Lafayette Parish for booking on first-degree murder and motor vehicle theft charges. The homicide investigation remains ongoing, and officials had not announced additional charges or arrests as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated October 29, 2026.