SoCal man, girlfriend arrested after man is found dead in church parking lot

CORONA, Calif. (TCD) -- A 44-year-old man and his 37-year-old girlfriend were arrested about a week after a man was found dead in a church parking lot.

According to the Corona Police Department, on Aug. 17 at around 7 p.m., officers responded to a call on the 800 block of Sherman Avenue regarding an unresponsive man. When they arrived, police located a Hispanic man in his late 30s dead with "signs of trauma."

Corona Police Department detectives came to the scene and took over the investigation.

In a follow-up statement, Corona Police said they identified a car and two suspects they believe played a role in the man’s death. Officers located the car on Aug. 22 and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, Javier Lopez Martinez, allegedly fled and led officers on a chase.

The pursuit reportedly ended when Martinez crashed into "several occupied vehicles" on the 1200 block of West 10th Street. He then allegedly left the scene on foot but was captured and arrested.

According to the police department, occupants in the other vehicles sustained minor injuries. They were treated at the scene and released.

After arresting Martinez, officers took his girlfriend, Maren Nicolas, into custody.

Martinez was booked on charges of murder, felony vehicle pursuit, felony hit and run, and resisting arrest. His bail is set at $1 million. Nicolas, who is also being held on $1 million bail, was charged with murder.

The victim’s identification has not been released yet because the Riverside County Coroner’s Office is still searching for the next of kin.

MORE:

• DEAD BODY FOUND IN CHURCH PARKING LOT - Corona Police Department
• DEAD BODY FOUND IN CHURCH PARKING LOT: UPDATED TO HOMICIDE ARREST - Corona Police Department