Bridgeport man arrested in Milford home invasion that killed one, wounded other
It happened June 3 at 871 East Broadway just before 3 a.m. Police said intruders entered the beachfront home through a rear sliding door while the couple was asleep, then shot Fred Werner multiple times, and his wife, Sandy Cooper, once in the head.
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Nearly two months after a Milford home invasion left a 69-year-old man dead and a 69-year-old woman seriously injured, police arrested a Bridgeport man in the case and said more arrests are expected.
Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, was taken into custody in New Haven Thursday night and charged with murder, murder in commission of a felony, home invasion and first-degree assault of an elderly victim in what police called a targeted attack.
It happened June 3 at 871 East Broadway just before 3 a.m. Police said intruders entered the beachfront home through a rear sliding door while the couple was asleep, then shot Fred Werner multiple times, and his wife, Sandy Cooper, once in the head. Werner died at the scene while Cooper was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. She's since been released and continues to recover, police said.
At a news conference Friday afternoon announcing the arrest, Chief Keith Mello credited the tireless work by detectives and said license plate readers were pivotal in helping police identify the vehicle used in the crime and ultimately the suspects.
"Our LPRs and other public and private video cameras have provided valuable evidence," Mello stated. "I don't want to get into exactly what cameras they were or whether they were cameras in Milford or cameras elsewhere—only to just let you know this technology was extremely important, it was vital, to develop evidence in this case."
Mello said 27 search warrants have been executed so far, and the work isn't done, which is why police won't comment on a motive. Mello also wouldn't discuss the suspect's relationship to the victims beyond affirming what he said soon after the attack—that this wasn't a random act of violence.
"It's important to remember that we do expect to make other arrests, but there will be time to talk about that," Mello told reporters.
Lopez-Reyes was arraigned in Milford Superior Court on Friday morning before police made his arrest public. His warrant is currently sealed, and he's being held on a $3 million bond.
"This was a horrific crime. It was a home invasion. It shocked and terrorized this family and this community, and I hope this very important first step brings some comfort and satisfaction to the families of Fred Werner and Sandra Cooper," Mello said.
Lopez-Reyes is due in court next on Aug. 11.
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