Kansas troopers nab California double homicide suspect
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (KSNW) -- A man sought in connection to the death of two women in California was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office says 31-year-old Howard Reed was wanted in connection to the shooting deaths of his roommates Jingwei “Melanie” Zhang, 32, and Dorothy Mak, 38. Their bodies were discovered at the home they shared in the Oakland suburb of San Lorenzo. May 4, after their families requested a welfare check. An alert was put out for Reed as his vehicle a short time later.
The sheriff's office says the Kansas Highway Patrol received a hit from a license plate reader indicating Reed was in Kansas. Troopers took Reed into custody and booked him into the Leavenworth County Detention Center.
Reed waived his extradition hearing and has been returned to California. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office thanked the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.
Reed is charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances, which means he could face the death penalty or life without parole if he is found guilty.