NJ man who led trooper on chase in Rowan now charged with murder
Published 10:51 am Thursday, April 7, 2016
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
A New Jersey man who was stopped nearly two weeks ago in a car belonging to a woman found dead in her New Jersey apartment has been charged with her murder, Rowan Sheriff’s officials say.
A N.C. Highway Patrol trooper conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 85 in Rowan County spotted the silver Dodge around 4 p.m. on March 28.
The vehicle had blue lights in the front bumper area. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle to further investigate, but the driver, later identified as Arturo Alomas, refused to stop.
A short chase ensued, the trooper tried to force Alomas to stop the vehicle by abruptly turning sideways, but the 33-year-old continued. Alomas hit a concrete barrier in the median just prior to the Julian Road exit, but regained control. He eventually struck the trooper’s patrol vehicle and came to rest on the shoulder of the exit ramp.
The trooper found a 2-month-old child in the car.
Alomas was charged with speeding to elude arrest, child restraint violation, failure to heed blue lights and siren and a number of other traffic-related infractions.
Upon checking with the Elizabeth Police Department on the welfare of Trenice Johnson, the owner of the Dodge that Alomas was driving, the trooper discovered she had been found dead in her New Jersey apartment.
The 26-year-old woman died as a result of strangulation and asphyxiation.
Alomas was the boyfriend of Trenice Johnson and the father of their 2-month-old daughter. Detectives in Union County, New Jersey, requested assistance from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Rowan officials obtained search warrants for Alomas and the vehicle. Rowan detectives met with New Jersey investigators.
Rowan investigators collected evidence and sent it to New Jersey. As a result of the investigation, New Jersey officials obtained an arrest warrant charging Alomas with murder. Rowan authorities obtained a warrant charging Alomas with being a fugitive from justice. He remains in the Rowan County Detention without bond.
Rowan Sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford said Alomas will remain in the Rowan County jail until charges are resolved in the N.C. Highway Patrol matter. Afterward, Alomas will be returned to New Jersey, where he’ll face the murder charge.
