STERLING, Va. — The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and federal immigration officials said the man accused of killing a Maryland grandmother with her own car is in the U.S. illegally.
Juan Aguilar Martinez, 21, is originally from El Salvador but lived in California before moving to Virginia in June. It’s unclear how and when he got into the country.
He’s been charged with carjacking but likely will face even more after he allegedly hit the woman who tried to stop him from stealing her vehicle.
The incident happened outside the 7-Eleven at Town Center at Sterling late Sunday afternoon.
New court documents say 54-year-old Melody Waldecker of Silver Spring left her car running in the parking lot when she noticed the suspect getting into the driver’s seat. She tried to open the door, but the suspect slammed it in her face and reversed, according to the court document.
“Melody hung on the vehicle but fell to the ground and the and the vehicle ran her over,” the criminal complaint said.
Aguilar-Martinez hit at least two vehicles while trying to escape before parking in a nearby community where he arrested, authorities added.
Jannet Ramos had he truck damaged after it was sideswiped.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Ramos told WUSA9. “It was kind of scary because we were inside, and all of the windows were closed, and you can hear it. It was going around and around the neighborhood.”
The Loudoun Co. Sheriff’s Office notified the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement soon after his arrest. Sheriff Mike Chapman said he cooperates with ICE.
ICE issued nearly 500 detainers in the county within the last two years. More than 240 of them were taken and 96 of them were eventually deported.
“We do what we can to hold on to people as long as we practically can, and then let ICE know so they have the ability to come out to pick them up or decide not to pick them up depending on the nature of the offense,” Chapman told WUSA9. “It's important for me that we exercise all the leverage that we can to protect our citizens.”
Aguilar-Martinez remains in jail without bond. He has a hearing scheduled in September.
Loved ones say Waldecker stopped at the convenience store after a visit to her sick mother at a Leesburg nursing home.
She’s remembered as a devoted and family-oriented person. She last worked at Charles E. Smith Life Communities for at least two years.
Melody's family members created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the funeral. If you would like to donate, please visit: Fundraiser for Rachael Nathanson by Aspen Elvir : Help Melody's Family in Their Time of Need (gofundme.com)