Two Charged With Murder in Connection to Body Found in Burning Car

Two Port Richey brothers have each been charged with first degree murder in connection to the death of a man who .

Also, their father has been charged with tampering with a witness connected to the case, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.  

Alexandre Rafael Gonzalez, 19, and Luis Adrian Gonzalez Jr., 21, were arrested Monday in Port Richey. Luis Adrian Gonzalez, the alleged father, was arrested the same night.

The victim has been identified as Richard Martinez, 25, according to the sheriff’s office. An arrest report says someone saw Martinez driving Alexandre Gonzalez around late May 12. Gonzalez told her he was planning on robbing Martinez.

Kevin Doll, sheriff’s office spokesman, said the incident was"possibly drug-related." Deputies believe drugs and money were involved.

Deputies say Martinez was shot multiple times, and the medical examiner determined that to be the cause of death.

According to the sheriff's office, a woman got a call late on May 12 from Luis Gonzalez on Alexandre Gonzalez's cell phone saying that there was an emergency and he needed her to pick him up in Moon Lake.

When she picked him up, he put a gas can in the back seat of her car. She sat in the passenger seat and the car was driven to the woods in the Moon Lake area. In the woods was a Chevy Impala that she had seen Martinez driving earlier that day. According to an arrest report, the car was found in the woods between Posen Street and Polco Loop. 

The woman told deputies she could see Martinez leaning over in the car, and he was "unresponsive."

Luis Gonzalez began pouring gas in and over the car. Then the two young men lit twigs on fire and threw them at the car, which was engulfed. The body inside was burned beyiond recognition, according to deputies.

The woman was told to leave.

After the crime, the two Gonzalez brothers started calling another female. They told her they "did something really bad" and askkd if she'd been watching the news. She saw Alexandre Gonzalez a week later with burns on his left arm.

On June 5, the elder Luis Gonzalez called that woman a snitch and threatened her. Witnesses told deputies he also helped get rid of evidence related to the crime.

Alexandre Rafael Gonzalez and Luis Adrian Gonzalez Jr. live at 8925 Cochise St., Port Richey. Their father lives at 7014 Country Club Drive in Hudson.  

The brothers have been identified as members of the Latin Kings, according to deputies.

All suspects remained in Land O' Lakes jail Monday.