ATHENS, Ala. — A man wanted for a 1997 murder was arrested after nearly three decades as a fugitive.
The Athens Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operation Team, arrested Bernabe Roman in a coordinated operation on December 15, 2024.
The 52-year-old Roman was wanted for the murder of Jose Salinas Gomez, who was killed on December 25, 1997, in the 1500 block of Wheeler Street in Athens.
A grand jury in Limestone County issued an indictment warrant for Roman's arrest in February 1998.
During the recent operation, authorities received information about Roman's whereabouts and quickly obtained a search warrant for his residence on Bain Road in Athens. Officers from both agencies, along with the Athens High-Risk Entry & Apprehension Team (HEAT), executed the warrant and successfully took Roman into custody after a brief "hold and callout."
A "hold and callout" is a police method where officers secure the area around a location and ask the people inside to come out.
The Athens Police Department expressed gratitude to the ICE Fugitive Operation Team for their assistance.
Roman is currently in the Limestone County Jail.
