Man charged with murder of missing Gwinnett County man found in truck

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities have arrested a suspect in the murder of a 40-year-old Gwinnett County man whose body was found in his truck.

Investigators say 40-year-old Guadalupe Garcia Rodriguez was reported missing by his wife on July 1. 

Two days later, officers made the grim discovery of Rodriguez's body inside a parked truck on Paden Cove Trail. Police said Rodriguez only lived a few short miles away and didn't have a job that would keep him away overnight.

"Guadalupe suffered from two gunshot wounds and strangulation," said Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Juan Madiedo. 

Neighbors told FOX 5 the vehicle had been there for two days. Many assumed it was just broken down.

After more than a month, officials say they received new information that Rodriguez had been in a dispute over some land in Mexico with the father of an ex-girlfriend. 

"He had purchased some land from the ex-girlfriend’s father and recently the father of that ex-girlfriend wanted that land back," said Cpl. Madiedo. "That small tip, knowing that he had some type of dispute over land in Mexico led us to further investigating further interviews." 

That tip led investigators to the ex-girlfriend's home in Lawrencville, which officials say helped them identify the suspect in the case as 38-year-old Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon.

"We have more than enough probable cause to secure arrest warrants," said Cpl. Madiedo. 

Authorities say Lopez-Jolon was found and arrested at a hotel in Huntsville, Alabama.

"I’m happy the police arrested this guy," said Francisco Mijaris, one of the victim’s friends. 

The man is now charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.

He's currently awaiting extradition to Gwinnett County.