Hugo Martinez Arrested In Connection With The Austin Ramos Jr. Homicide In Beloit

Martinez was one of four suspects sought in the homicide of a 5-year-old Beloit boy.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 30, 2016

Beloit, WI - On Thursday, Beloit police confirmed that Hugo Martinez, 18, of Beloit was taken into custody just hours after releasing his photo and information that connected him with the homicide of Austin Ramos Jr., 5, from Beloit on January 22. Martinez is facing a felony charged for party to a crime, according to Interim Beloit Chief of Police David B. Zibolski. Ramos Jr. was buried on Friday in Beloit.

Another suspect, Isaac William Torres, 24, was taken into custody last Tuesday in McHenry County, Illinois in connection with the Ramos Jr. homicide. Torres was wanted in Rock County, Wisconsin for a felony substantial battery charge and is expected to be extradited to Wisconsin.

Two other suspects, Eric Salazar-Mota, 21, and Sergio Ortiz-Raygoza, 23, aka, "Checko" are also wanted as persons of interest in connection with Ramos Jr.'s murder. Chief Zibolski during a prior press conference reported that Torres, Mota and Raygoza are known gang members and could be connected to another homicide in Beloit as well.

Mota and Raygoza are sought by federal and state authorities on felony warrants for flight to avoid prosecution. Raygoza is wanted in Rockford, Illinois for a felony weapons charge. Mota is wanted for a felony substantial battery charge, child abuse and fleeing a police officer, according to court records.

Chief Zibolski says a joint force composed of the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, ATF, McHenry County, IL and the Rock County Sheriff's Office have been working with the Beloit Police Department to solve the Ramos Jr. homicide case.

Ramos Jr. was shot in the stomach by gunfire from the suspects while he was riding in the rear seat of Austin Ramos Sr., his father's vehicle. Ramos Jr. later died at the Beloit Memorial Hospital.