Man Accused of Murder in Pontiac Arrested in Texas, Extradition Anticipated
(OCSO, May 5, 2024)
Dallas, TX – A recently paroled Pontiac man wanted in connection with the April 27 stabbing death of another man was arrested May 3 at a bus station in Dallas, Texas. Juan Ramirez Jr., 31, was arrested without incident about 2 p.m. in the bus station by a law enforcement task force that was working closely with detectives from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
Prosecutors charged Ramirez with second-degree murder and assault with intent to murder.
Ramirez’s destination was not immediately known. “I appreciate the hard work of our team and our partners to ensure that individuals that perpetrate this kind of violence are held fully accountable,” Bouchard said. “It should be clear you can run, but you can’t hide.” Ramirez is accused in the fatal stabbing of Gregory Allen Copeland, 69, of Pontiac. He was found in the basement of his home in the 80 block of Ivy Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. on April 27. He was stabbed several times in the chest and unresponsive when deputies arrived. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Deputies were initially called to the residence on the report of a man – later identified as Ramirez – chasing a woman with a knife. Upon arrival, they found the woman, age 32, on top of a carport in a highly emotional and agitated state. Deputies found no sign of the man possessing a knife. The woman was Copeland’s niece and in a relationship with Ramirez.
Ramirez was paroled from the Michigan Department of Corrections on Dec. 5 after serving nearly 10 years in prison for unarmed robbery and home invasion convictions out of Oakland County Circuit Court. He was placed on absconder status Feb. 14, which denotes an offender who failed to report to his parole officer and notes the offender poses “a direct threat to the health, safety and welfare of any person, household or community.”
It was unclear when Ramirez would return to Oakland County. He must first appear before a judge in Dallas for an extradition hearing at a future date.
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