FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Police have arrested and charged 10 people in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Montgomery County girl. They add that the case is gang-related and has connections to other recent missing persons cases in Fairfax County.
Cindy Blanco Hernandez, 18, of Reston, Va., Wilmer A. Sanchez-Serrano, 21, of no fixed address, Aldair J. Miranda Carcamo, 18, of Springfield, Va., Jose Castillo Rivas, 18, of Springfield, Va., and six juveniles (a 15-year-old girl, a 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy, two 17-year-old boys, and a 17-year-old girl) have all been charged with abduction and gang participation.
They were arrested in connection with the murder of Damaris Reyes Rivas, 15. She went missing from Gaithersburg, Md. in December and police believe she was being held against her will. Then, on or around January 8, 2016, police said she was taken to Lake Accotink Park where she was attacked and then killed. Her body was left nearby.
Police said more charges could be filed against those arrested in this case as early as Thursday. They add that there are connections between this case and other recent missing persons cases.
"In some of the missing cases that we have had, people that were involved in some of the abductions or the missing persons, may have some sort of involvement in the murder of Damaris,” said Fairfax County Police Lt. Brian Gaydos.
Police said the Venus Romero Iraheta case is connected. The 17-year-old left home a month ago, but returned late Tuesday night. Police said she was taken into custody and is being questioned about her relation to the Rivas case.
"We’re looking at the extent of her involvement, but I can’t get into the details of that,” said Gaydos.
Police added there is also a connection to the case of Lizzy Rivera Colindres.
Colindres left home with her five-month-old baby in January and police believe she left out of fear of the boy’s father, Jose Castillo Rivas. Colindres returned home this past weekend and Rivas was arrested on charges related to their domestic case.
"Her baby’s father is acquainted with the main group of people that we’re looking at for Damaris’ murder,” said Gaydos.
Police said all of these cases have connections to one gang, but won’t say which as they do not want to give them any publicity. However, they add that there is no known threat to the public.
"We don’t think that they’re going out randomly attacking other people. It looks like they’re targeted among each other,” said Fairfax County Police Officer Tonya Wright.