IN-DEPTH: Routine traffic stop in Oro Valley leads to arrest of Tucson man wanted in Denver

TUCSON (KVOA) — A routine police traffic stop in Oro Valley led to the arrest of a Tucson man wanted for murder in Denver.

The 51-year-old man now sits in the Pima County jail on a million-dollar bond.

Francisco Romero made his initial appearance Wednesday morning.

The Judge said, "Francisco Romero you are here on a warrant out of Denver Colorado."

Officials told News 4 Tucson the murder occurred on March 29th in Denver Colorado.

Homicide detectives there developed probable cause for the warrant.

They also developed information Romero lived in Tucson.

They were on their way to Tucson when Oro Valley Police pulled him over on Oracle and Big Wash on Tuesday night for a traffic violation.

Dennis Wright, Public Information Officer for OVPD said, "The driver turned out to be Mr. Romero who had two felony warrants for homicide."

When OVPD learned about the murder warrants Wright responded, "They're always prepared for anything they come across. They train for things like this, but through good tactics and good officer safety, they were able to take him into custody without any incident at all. We're very thankful for that.

In the meantime, Pima County sheriff's detectives were helping out Denver detectives by conducting a search warrant on Romero's mobile home on the city's southside.

Detectives were bringing out containers and other items from the house.

This was as Timothy Niebes looked on in shock.

"I've talked to him a few times to my neighbors. My neighbors are really nice. If I've been out here working on a car they've lent me tools all kinds of stuff you know. It's really surprising to me because they seemed like decent people."

Denver detectives declined an on-camera interview saying this was still an active investigation.

Romero's next court appearance will be on April 22.