A dangerous fugitive eludes authorities in Northern California. ![]() Arthur Lopez Jr. Suspect: Gender: Male CASE DETAILS ![]() Carlos Hernandez The south side of Milwaukee was home to a gang of drug dealers known as the Lopez Family. They owned seven houses in a two-block radius and used the location as headquarters for their drug empire. Anyone who got in their way had to face Arthur, the Lopez family’s hit man. When a rival gang called the Latin Kings tried to move in on their territory, a turf war erupted. Carlos Hernandez was once a member of the Latin Kings. But according to his family, Carlos had recently left the gang and turned his life around. Gustavo Hernandez is Carlos’ brother:
![]() Lopez was told to kill Carlos Hernandez Carlos organized a youth basketball league and worked for a city organization that helps kids stay out of gangs. Det. Dave Klabunde of the Milwaukee Police Department described Carlos’ role in the organization:
![]() Lopez was a violent gang member Police believe that Carlos tried to end the gang turf war, but was unsuccessful. So the hit man, Arthur Lopez, was told by the Lopez family to “take care of” Carlos. According to witnesses, Arthur Lopez and several family members surrounded the building where Carlos worked. According to Det. Klabunde, the gang had a predetermined code that would be broadcast over a radio when Carlos was spotted:
Authorities believe that around 4:30 pm, Arthur Lopez Jr. was alerted with the code. He put on a mask, hopped on a bike, and pedaled toward his unsuspecting target. Carlos was hit by eight bullets and died instantly in his car. Though Arthur Lopez Jr. was the prime suspect in the killing of Carlos Hernandez, police had little evidence against him. Then Arthur made what seemed to be a small mistake. He got himself arrested for driving without a license. It would be the beginning of the end for the Lopez Family. While being processed at the police station, Arthur’s father, Arturo, showed up at the station and asked why his son was being harassed. Arturo was second in command of the Lopez gang. Det. Klabunde said that Arturo was enraged:
Arthur could not be held on the traffic charge and was released. But his father, Arturo, was arrested and convicted of threatening a police officer. Arturo was sentenced to 18 months in jail. Det. Klabunde said it was the chance police were looking for:
![]() Lopez is wanted for three different murders As authorities continued to build their case against the Lopez gang, there was another outburst of violence. According to witnesses, Arthur again played a key role. A known member of the Latin Kings named Maximillano Castillo and his girlfriend, Vanessa Rivas, returned home after a quick trip to the grocery store unaware that they were being followed. Police believe that the driver following them was Arthur and that his passenger was another Lopez gang member named Luis Acevedo. Luis confronted Max and began shooting. Vanessa, a completely innocent bystander and just 15 years old, couldn’t escape the hail of bullets. Asst. District Attorney of Milwaukee County, David Robles, described the trauma:
Authorities used Arturo’s taped phone calls from jail and eyewitness testimony of the shooting to obtain arrest warrants for Arthur and the rest of the Lopez family. A task force moved in to put the Lopez gang out of business for good. With a warrant secured, the police raided the homes of the Lopez family, seizing large stashes of guns, drugs, and cash. Eight people were arrested, finally ending the family’s crime wave. Only one Lopez family member managed to escape the citywide dragnet: Arthur. Carol’s Hernandez’s brother wants him brought to justice:
Update: Arthur Lopez Jr. has finally been captured and convicted and sent to prison. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season twelve with Robert Stack and in season six with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. |
Sanders
What an ignorant lot. These fools that are just kids going in think it’s “cool” to be a thug. It’s sad that Carlos wanted to make the community better leaving that life behind only to be snuffed out like that. I’m glad there was justice. Hopefully it was life without parole for the ones they charged because I know from an ex who was involved in a gang when young who then did 15 yrs in, said they don’t stop even in prison. His arrest was on DV not for gang related activities but he seen plenty when he was in. He never had to kill but he did have to do sketchy things. He regrets his involvement now and said he was just a dumb kid who was seduced by the money. And of course location as well as being pressured by the older cholos. I hope one day the violence will end. The drugs will stop and the young get better role models.
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Janet
Andrew Lin, are you related to Vanessa? I went to her funeral when I was a kid. Email me at janetgaona@ymail.com
Andrew Lin
Vanessa was in on it. Not an “innocent bystander”.
Yon
So I looked on the obituary of Vanessa Rivas. & It shows few pictures on there. And I was wondering if that picture with a girl wearing a prescription glasses & a white whale designed shirt, that seemed to be in some forest in the back of the picture? I’m curious if that person on that picture is Vanessa Rivas. Sorry about ur loss too
LUIS FREEH
“I” THINK SHE WAS USED TO STEAL THE GOLF CLUB FOR SOMEONE ELSE & THEY KILLED HER WITH IT BUT IT WAS RETURNED! WHY DIDN’T THEY GET IN TO THE HOME AND “KILL” US ALL? THEY WERE HOPING “I” ANSWER THE FRONT DOOR! SPITTING “IMAGE” OF DADAE!
tube
after the fall of Lopez Family…so the rise of other…it never ends…history will only repeat itself..