Tip leads to couple's arrest in deadly hit-and-run of 12-year-old girl
Raleigh police officers thanked the public Friday for help that led to the arrests of a husband and wife believed to be responsible for the death of a 12-year-old girl.
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson, Special Operations Maj. Rico Boyce and the victim's sister, DaKisha Holmes, spoke Friday to discuss the November 2022 hit-and-run death of Samantha Briggs.
On Thursday, Raleigh police announced the arrests of Blanca Iris de Mari Escobar-Roblero, 27, and Wilmer Morales-Roblero, 26, both of Cary.
“We wouldn’t have been able to solve this crime without diligence of members of the public,” Patterson said Friday.
Escobar-Roblero, identified in warrants as the driver, was charged with felony hit-and-run and obstructing justice. According to warrants, she called her husband, Morales-Roblero, after the crash. He was charged with accessory after the fact and obstructing justice.
“Our deepest condolences continue to be with the family,” Patterson said of Samantha’s family. “The entire Raleigh community is mourning her loss.”
On Friday, police said charges are possible for others involved. Also, police said the district attorney will determine whether Escobar-Roblero and Morales-Roblero face additional or more severe charges. Raleigh police said the couple lived about one mile from the crash scene, which happened on on Nov. 25 along Hillsborough Street between Bashford Road and Singleton Street.
Police found the Honda Civic burned at a tow lot in Louisburg.
Boyce explained the tip police received.
“[On] May 12, [he was at the] right time [and] right place,” Boyce said. “He was watching local news.
“He said he had something to offer, this person had vital information, the person led us to the burned vehicle.”
Boyce said there were 1,400 Honda Civics registered in Wake County alone, calling it a “daunting task” to find the car.
“This case was just so special to us because of the age of this victim,” Patterson said. “And, again, the team was relentless, they said, ‘We can’t let this one go.’”
Patterson said cell phone data was also crucial in leading to the couple’s arrest.
Holmes thanked the tipster who helped police identify Escobar-Roblero and Morales-Roblero.
“Although [my family is] enduring hardship, we are very grateful for everyone that has helped in [giving] a tip and shared a post, anything,” Holmes said. “Even though justice has been served, my heart is still trying to figure out how to heal.
Holmes said the last six months has been hard on the family.
"Even though I’m grateful that it’s solved, it will never bring the void of not having my sister," Holmes said.
On Thursday, Escobar-Roblero asked for a court-appointed attorney.
The prosecutor said cell phone records put her at scene of collision, as well at the location where the car was taken and burned in Franklin County. Police also found plastic at the scene of the hit-and-run which matched the burned vehicle.
During an interview, Escobar-Roblero admitted to hitting Samantha.
The prosecutor asked for a $200,000 bond, but the judge left it at $50,000 for Escobar-Roblero and $25,000 for her husband.
Morales-Roblero is a citizen of Guatemala and undocumented in the United States, according to the court. He also has a warrant in the state of Arizona.
The prosecutor said Morales-Roblero’s involvement was after the collision with Samantha, and his cell phone record pinged at the location after the collision, then to where the vehicle was burned. According to the prosecutor, he also admitted to the crimes, along with his wife.
The couple is due in court next on June 22.
