Car linked to Cary slaying found

Cary, N.C. — Police said Friday that a car believed to have been used by the suspect in a September slaying has been found east of Charlotte.

Maria Teresa Herrera-Diaz, 29, was found dead by her roommates at their home at 102 Dunhagen Place on Sept. 6. After a preliminary autopsy, police ruled her death a homicide and issued a warrant for her boyfriend, Arnulfo Cobos, who also lived at the home.

Cobos, 45, left the home between 4:15 and 5:15 a.m. on Sept. 6 and never reported to work at LaTapita Supermarket in Raleigh. Investigators said the believe he fled the area in a silver 2004 Saturn L-300, which belonged to the man who owned the home where Herrera-Diaz and Cobos lived.

Anson County deputies found the car abandoned off Boylin Road, north of U.S. Highway 74 east of Polkton, Cary police said. The keys were inside the car, which was still operable, police said.

Deputies said it appeared the car had been there for an extended period, police said.

Cobos remains on the loose. Police described him as an Hispanic man, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and 200 pounds. In a picture distributed by police, he has a mustache, and police said he also has a goatee.

Anyone with information about Cobos' whereabouts is asked to call the Cary Police Department Watch Commander at 919-469-4016 or Crime Stoppers at 919-226-2745.