U.S. Marshals Looking for Virginia Man on the Run after Double Homicide Suspect Fled to Georgia Immediately After Murders

NORFOLK, Va. – U.S. Marshals are asking for the public’s assistance in tracking down a man charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend and her father in front of their children. Amos Jacob Arroyo, 32, has been on the run since July 2017. 

Around 6:15 p.m. July 30, Newport News police responded to reports of a shooting at a trailer on

York River Lane. Patricia Joseph and her father Jessie Barnes were killed as a result of the shooting. Joseph is Arroyo’s ex-girlfriend and is the mother of their two children who were present in the trailer at the time of the murders. 

Newport News Police Department investigated the shooting and identified Arroyo as the suspect. The following day, arrest warrants were issued charging Arroyo with two counts of first degree murder and related charges. The U.S. Marshals were then asked for assistance in tracking Arroyo down.

The U.S. Marshals began looking for Arroyo and located his vehicle Aug. 1 abandoned in a Walmart parking lot off Interstate 95 in Pooler, Georgia. Camera footage shows Arroyo in the Walmart on the morning of July 31, the day after the murders, purchasing a backpack, underwear, socks, a hooded sweatshirt, pants, and tee shirts. After checking out, Arroyo walked out of the Walmart and left his vehicle behind. This is the last confirmed sighting of Arroyo. 

  

 “He hit the ground running,” said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia Bobby Mathieson.  “The morning after the murders he was already 500 miles away. By the time we found his vehicle in Georgia, we were a day behind him. Not only did he leave his car behind, we believe he left his old identity behind as well.” 

Identification cards belonging to Arroyo were found in his abandoned vehicle, and investigators believe he is now using a fake name.

Arroyo has ties all over the country: 

•           Born: Bronx, New York

•           Grew up: West Covina, California, still has strong ties all over California, including the city of Azusa

•           Last known residence: Newport News, Virginia

•           Last seen: Pooler, Georgia, July 31, 2017

Other known ties: 

•           Coral Springs, Florida

•           Georgia

•           Newark, Delaware

•           New York 

•           Norfolk, Virginia 

•           Puerto Rico 

•           Texas

Arroyo speaks Spanish and has previously traveled to Mexico. He is known to have dated older men and women in the past, and is alleged to have used them for money. Arroyo spent four months in the Army in 2004. 

 “The Newport News Police Department continues to be completely vested in this case and remains cooperative with the U.S. Marshals,” said Newport News Police Chief Mike Grinstead. “It is our sincerest hope that they succeed in apprehending Mr. Arroyo so the family receives the closure they deserve and justice is served.” 

Arroyo should be considered armed and dangerous. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.  

Please call the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-Wanted-2 (1-877-926-8332) or email usms.wanted@usdoj.gov with any information regarding Arroyo.