EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced that the man wanted in connection to two recent murders was arrested Tuesday afternoon.
After being on the run for months, 26-year-old Enrique Martinez was taken into custody near State Road 540 and Cooley Road in the Eagle Lake area, the sheriff said. He was spotted "casually walking on the sidewalk."
"We have searched around the clock for Enrique," Judd said. "And here he appears just wandering down the sidewalk."
Hours after the arrest, both of the families who lost loved ones in a matter of months reacted to his arrest, speaking to 10 Tampa Bay's Angelina Salcedo.
"My phone started blowing up. I feel a little bit at peace knowing that he's not out there to hurt anybody else and my brother is finally going to get the justice he deserves, but I'm also angry," Melissa Rodriguez said.
Edil Fernando Rodriguez Jr. was killed back on Nov. 8, 2023, at a homeless camp. He's Melissa's younger brother. She says he was shot three times.
"I really do believe that if they would have put the same amount of time and effort they did to find him after this girl went missing back then, my brother would, you know, he would have been where he's at, but she would still be alive," Rodriguez said.
Over time, her frustration has grown wondering why her brother's name or picture hadn't been put out and why it's been so hard to catch the person deputies say is responsible for his death.
Martinez's arrest comes just one day after the sheriff's office announced he was the main suspect in the murder of 20-year-old Sierra Hernandez.
"He's been so hard to find because family and friends are hiding him," Judd said in a press conference Monday evening.
On the day of Martinez's arrest, Sheriff Judd announced multiple arrests that led up to deputies capturing the 26-year-old in the woods.
"We had put so much pressure on his friends and his family. We made several arrests of people who harbored him or transported him to get him away from us that he was too hot to handle for even his friends and his family," Judd said.
Hours after the announcement of his arrest, Sierra Hernandez's family said they were relieved he was caught so quickly. Judd said on Monday that Hernandez was reported missing on Jan. 14, but was likely killed days prior.
"We're very thankful, you know, today that they got Enrique because that's another chapter to the story that has now closed," Trey Stokes, Hernandez's cousin said.
Despite the arrest, the family is still stuck with Sierra's dad, brother and three other loved ones behind bars. They were arrested on Jan. 18 after they tried to find the 20-year-old in the backyard of a home. All five people were arrested and charged with armed burglary and tampering with evidence after Sierra's dad admitted to having a weapon, but keeping it in his car.
"We don't believe they should be there. They were a desperate family looking for their daughter, sister and loved one. That's it. That's all they were doing, and we just want to see them come home again so as a family, day by day, we can start moving forward," Stokes said.
While they're being held without bond, Stokes says they're asking everyone to write to the State Attorney's Office to try and get them released.
For now, both families affected are left grieving but are hopeful Martinez's arrest will lead to more answers about what happened to their loved ones and why.
"I want answers. I want justice and I want to be kept informed. I hope he rots. I hope he gets what he's what he deserves. I don't feel bad for him. He didn't feel bad when he killed my brother. He didn't feel bad when he did whatever he did with that young girl. I honestly hope he gets what he deserves and I will be at every court hearing where he can see my face," Rodriguez said.
The sheriff described Martinez's criminal history as "violent," with 13 prior felony arrests and 15 misdemeanors. He previously went to prison for five years for stabbing one of his ex-girlfriends in the face, according to Judd. Martinez was processed in jail Tuesday evening.
