Fairfax County police believe an accused armed robber in jail may have plotted with his mother to kill a store clerk.
Marvin Enrique Marroquin robbed El Compadre Market in July 2017, police said.
He was arrested, and about a month later his mother allegedly showed up at the store. She told the victim not to proceed with the charges against her son, according to a warrant.
This July, El Compadre employees reported to police some suspicious activity at the store, including unknown men using cellphones to record the employees.
Police investigated and discovered a letter allegedly sent by Marlon Torres Bonegas, Marroquin’s cellmate, detailing payment for a murder.
Detectives then pulled the jail phone recordings and found several 3-way calls allegedly linking to a cellphone number belonging to Marroquin’s mother.
The conversations were about a female target at the store, police said. They discussed surveillance of the intended target, and getting photographs, work schedules and addresses.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Marroquin’s mother is in federal custody of immigration officials on unrelated charges, police said.
Police said more people could be charged.
Marroquin is scheduled to face a judge on the armed robbery charge next week.
