Riverside County sheriff's detectives served a search warrant and towed a green sport utility vehicle in connection with the investigation into the murder of Moreno Valley teenager Norma Lopez, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The owner of the home where the SUV was parked, 42-year-old Eric Mupalala Muswaswa, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer -- a misdemeanor offense -- around 11 a.m. Tuesday, just before the SUV was taken away, according to sheriff's officials.
"There have not been any arrests for the murder," sheriff's Sgt. Joe Borja stressed.
He could not immediately say what precipitated Muswaswa's arrest.
Muswaswa and his wife, Wanda, have lived at the two-story residence at 26524 Pegasus Way since early 2006, according to real estate records posted online.
Muswaswa was released from the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside around 4 p.m. Tuesday after posting $2,500 bail.
A green SUV parked at the Pegasus Way residence -- similar to a vehicle seen speeding away from where Norma disappeared July 15 -- was being processed by sheriff's forensic technicians.
Area residents told reporters that the Muswaswas have a son in his early 20s. One neighbor described them to KCAL9 as a "church-going family."
The home is near Bay Avenue and Morrison Street, about three blocks from the field where authorities believe Norma was kidnapped July 15 while walking home from Valley View High School.
The only witness account was that a green SUV was seen racing away from the scene shortly after 10 a.m. that day, about the time the girl would have been walking home from school. She was using a footpath that provided a shortcut to a friend's house.
Sheriff's investigators found the teen's belongings in the field and said there were signs of a struggle. Her body was discovered five days later in a remote field off Theodore Avenue, about 2 1/2 miles to the east.
For the past month, detectives have not released any details about the case, including suspect information or a cause of death. A check of nearly every sex offender in the area ruled out any suspects, detectives have said.
The case drew national attention and prompted an outpouring of community support for the Lopez family, as well as a renewed emphasis on children's safety.
The city of Moreno Valley is offering a $35,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Norma's death.
Anyone with information was urged to call a 24-hour hot line, 1-877-242- 4345, or send an e-mail to findnormaskillerriversidesheriff.org.
