Sarasota homicide suspect arrested after camera alert identifies vehicle

A Sarasota man accused of breaking into an occupied apartment faces a murder charge after a woman was found dead there early Sunday, November 1, according to the Sarasota Police Department. Authorities arrested Josue Zepeda-Urbina, 32, on Monday morning after receiving a camera alert linked to his vehicle.

Police said the homicide occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday at the Applegate Apartments, at 1500 North Lockwood Ridge Road. Officers were initially called to the apartment after the woman was discovered unresponsive inside. The Sarasota County Fire Department pronounced her dead sometime after 4:30 a.m.

Investigators said Zepeda-Urbina and the woman knew each other. A witness who was familiar with both identified him as the suspect, according to police. Authorities have not described the nature of the relationship between the two or provided further details about their prior connection.

At about 5 a.m. Monday, November 2, officers received an alert from Flock cameras concerning Zepeda-Urbina's vehicle, police said. Officers then stopped him near Beneva Road and Fruitville Road and took him into custody. The arrest came a day after the initial response to the apartment, according to the timeline released by the department.

In addition to the murder charge, Zepeda-Urbina faces three felony counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling. Police said the number of burglary charges reflects the presence of three people inside the apartment when he allegedly broke in. Authorities attributed all three burglary counts to that incident.

Zepeda-Urbina was being held without bond at the Sarasota County Jail, authorities said. The department's account of the case covered the officers' response on Sunday and the vehicle alert and arrest on Monday. Police identified him as the suspect but have not released the woman's identity.

Several details surrounding the woman's death remain undisclosed. Authorities have not announced her specific cause of death or identified a motive. Beyond saying that she and Zepeda-Urbina knew each other, police have not explained the circumstances of their relationship. The homicide investigation remains open.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department's criminal investigations division at (941) 263-6070. Information can also be provided to Sarasota Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-8477 as investigators continue their work.