A homicide suspect from Puerto Rico was arrested Monday night in Lancaster city, police said, and the search continued for a second suspect sought in a separate case.

Jerry Rodriguez-Sanchez, 22, is wanted in Guayama, Puerto Rico, for a homicide in October, city police Lt. Todd Umstead said.

City police Officer Jonathan Reppert stopped a sport utility vehicle in the 800 block of Manor Street around 11:30 p.m. Monday because it had a stolen license plate.

Rodriguez-Sanchez was a passenger in the car, and officers discovered that he was wanted, Umstead said. He does not have a known address.

Police arrested Rodriguez-Sanchez and charged him before District Judge Cheryl Hartman with being a fugitive from justice. He was being held Tuesday at the police station, pending his arraignment, Umstead said.

He will be extradited to Puerto Rico.

The driver of the SUV, Tony Pesante, 26, of the 700 block of Manor Street, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, Umstead said. He was released on a summons to appear in court.

Local police continue to search for a second homicide suspect wanted in Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez-Sanchez does not appear to be connected to Carlos A. Ramos-Lebron, who is wanted for a Dec. 8 homicide, also in Guayama.

Ramos-Lebron, 22, was featured in Monday's Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week, Umstead said. He is still wanted and is not in custody.

"This appears to be a coincidence," Umstead said. "At this point, there does not appear to be any connection between the two suspects and homicides."

Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman also said he did not know of any connections between Guayama and Lancaster, or between the two cases.

Ramos-Lebron lived in the 400 block of West Vine Street as recently as 2011 and might have ties to the area, according to authorities.

Officials said they are unsure if Ramos-Lebron was able to leave Puerto Rico after the Dec. 8 killing. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Lancaster City/County Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

They ask anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus a message to 847411 (TIP411).
rrobinson@lnpnews.com