No Good Dead Goes Unpunished: Brother & Sister Act Charged with DNA related Murder in Door-Door Salesman Pretense

Posted By CotoBlogzz 10-25-2010

SANTA ANA, CA  - Alejandro and Gladys Romero, brother and a sister have been charged with the robbery and murder of a Santa Ana man by gaining entry into his home by pretending to be fruit salesmen.

The Romero siblings, 33, both of Santa Ana, are each charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of robbery, kidnapping, and burglary with an additional sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.  

On June 5, 2000, Gladys Romero is accused of posing as a door-to-door fruit saleswoman and gaining entry into Juan Gomez's home by asking for a glass of water. Once inside, Gladys Romero is accused of opening the door to allow her brother, Alejandro Romero, to enter the victim's home. Both defendants are accused of being armed with firearms. 

The defendants are accused of tying up Gomez and his family in the living room of the home. Gomez struggled and was able to break free from his ties. Alejandro Romero is accused of struggling with Gomez and shooting the victim. Gladys Romero is accused of then shooting Gomez when he was on his knees. The defendants are accused of stealing a purse and fleeing the scene. Gladys Romero is accused of leaving her own purse at the scene.

Gomez died at the scene. His family freed themselves and called the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), who investigated this case. SAPD Crime Scene Investigators collected DNA evidence at the scene. 

The case remained unsolved and without a suspect for 10 years. On Sept. 30, 2010, DNA taken from Gladys Romero on a misdemeanor conviction was linked to DNA that was taken from her purse left at the murder crime scene. The DNA evidence along with witness statements connected the defendants to the case.