Man arrested in connection to murder of Mesa grocery store employee

PHOENIX — A 59-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the murder of an employee at a grocery store in Mesa last month, police announced on Friday.

Det. Steve Berry with the Mesa Police Department said Kelvin Peder Aakjar was booked into jail on one count of first-degree murder, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery.

Police believe Aakjar attacked and then murdered 49-year-old Thomas Lee, whose body was found at Mi Pueblo Mercado near Eighth Avenue and Center Street on Oct. 29.

Surveillance video released on Tuesday showed a man who police later determined to be Aakjar rummaging through the store.

Help identify Homicide Suspect:
On 10/29/18 between 7:30-7:45 AM an unknown male entered the Mi Pueblo Mercado, 103 W. 8th Ave, and attacked the employee. The employee was later found deceased.
If you recognize the suspect call 📞480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.📞 pic.twitter.com/LMWSOXJjTW

— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) November 14, 2018

Aakjar was identified through a tip to the department’s anonymous hotline, Silent Witness, and was arrested without incident at a Mesa motel.

He has not admitted his involvement in the crime.

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