SURPRISE, Ariz. - Surprise police have arrested two suspects in connection to the Feb. 9 homicides of Barbara Leslie and Ruth Schwed inside Leslie's Surprise home.
Police arrested Andrew Thomas Lauro, 24, of Goodyear on Friday. Since arresting Lauro, investigators traveled to Michigan and arrested a second suspect, Montez Lavell Wright III, 23, of Southfield, Michigan.
"This is an active, ongoing investigation but all the information we have at this time, it appears to be a random act of violence," said Sergeant Norman Owens, a spokesperson for the Surprise Police Department.
Lauro has been booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery and one count of first-degree burglary.
"These two suspects have been taken off the street and they will not be able to hurt anymore victims," Owens said.
Wright is in custody in Michigan and awaiting extradition to Arizona, where he is facing the same charges.
Police are also investigating whether the men may be linked to other crimes in the Sun City Grand and Surprise areas which include a rash of robberies, home invasions and car thefts.
Those who knew the victim's are now grieving the loss of two dearly loved women.
Phyllis Marcus was a friend of Leslie's and in the same community.
"Barb was a delightful neighbor, she well missed," said Marucs, "she did a wonderful job raising a family and being part of our community – part of our small comity and we'll miss her."
Ruth Schwed's family released the following statement on Sunday:
“We applaud the work of the Surprise Police Department as they work to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of our mother and her friend. The arrests announced today are due to the diligence of the Surprise police department and multiple law enforcement agencies and those working with them. Our family continues to grieve the loss of our mother, grandmother, and sister. Our goal is to ensure that those responsible for these murders will never be able to harm anyone again.”
Surprise police said the FBI, Arizona DPS, MCSO, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico and the Southfield Police Department in Michigan all helped in bringing the two men into custody.