DALLAS, TX – Natalie Navarro, a 17-year-old Texas girl who was at the center of an Amber Alert in September, has been indicted on a capital murder charge. The charge stems from the death of 21-year-old Arturo Pena, whom Navarro is accused of killing on August 27 after allegedly meeting him online.
This week, a Dallas County grand jury handed down an indictment against Navarro, alleging that she “intentionally caused the death of” Pena in an unlawful manner. The indictment also suggests that Navarro was attempting to rob Pena when the alleged shooting occurred.
Investigators from the Garland Police Department believe that Navarro and Pena met online. They also suspect that Navarro planned to rob Pena with the help of a 21-year-old male accomplice, Yordy Martinez. Navarro has reportedly told the police that she had only spoken to Martinez once online and hadn’t met him in person until the night of the murder. However, the police have reasons to doubt the veracity of Navarro’s claims.
Navarro had allegedly met Pena in person two weeks before the alleged shooting. The police believe this meeting was part of a plan to set up Pena for the robbery and subsequent murder.
On August 29, police officers responded to a report of an unconscious individual in a vehicle at 342 West Oates Road. Upon their arrival, they discovered that the man, later identified as Pena, had been shot dead. Pena had been reported missing two days before his body was found.
Navarro and Martinez were identified as persons of interest in Pena’s murder on September 1. An Amber Alert was issued for Navarro, who was later located near the Mexican border and taken into custody.
The police are still looking for Martinez and are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Garland Police Department at 972-485-4840.