The man Middletown police say killed his former girlfriend professed his innocence Friday during his arraignment.

Police in Middletown arrested and arraigned 51-year-old Julio Valle-Santos after they say he brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend inside her home Thursday. The victim, 47-year-old Gloria Molina-Rivera, was found stabbed to death in the Tall Oaks apartment complex off of Monhagen Avenue.

?There were a lot of strong feelings involved. He wasn't happy with the breakup and the way it happened,? says Lt. Patrick Freeman, of the Middletown police.

Police say they received reports about the crime at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Valle-Santos is alleged to have sped away in a black pickup truck after the incident. Molina-Rivera?s neighbors say she and Valle-Santos had been fighting and speculated that it was he who stabbed her.

Valle-Santos is being held in Orange County Jail without bail. He's due back in court later this month. If convicted, Valle-Santos could face 25 years to life in prison.