Man wanted for murder in California arrested in Florida

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - A man arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office in January for driving without a license is wanted in California in connection with a 2003 murder.

The defendant originally gave his name as Emilo Liberato Nunez when he was pulled over January 16 at the intersection of Beal Parkway and Memorial Drive in Fort Walton Beach.

He was arrested and his vehicle towed after the deputy determined the 29-year old, who had an address of 402 Yancy Street in Fort Walton Beach, had no license and no insurance.

When Nunez was picked up from the Okaloosa County Jail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - or ICE - on February 6, the agency learned that the suspect’s real name is Ruben Martinez.

Martinez is wanted in connection with the stabbing death of Carlos Lewin in Chino Hills California in July 2003. Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office say Martinez and Lewin got in to an argument that turned physical on July 20, 2003.

Martinez is accused of stabbing Lewin in the stomach, then fleeing the scene. It was believed he may have fled back to Mexico. Lewin later died from his injuries.

Martinez is currently being held in the Escambia County jail, awaiting extradition back to California. Investigators there say he has approximately two dozen known aliases.

It is not yet known how long he has been in the Fort Walton Beach area.